Worcester Wolves 63-66 Leicester Riders BBL Cup Semi Final First Leg

13^th December 2019

The Worcester Wolves fell short of victory by just three points in their BBL Cup Semi Final first leg against Leicester Riders at the University Of Worcester Arena.

Both teams took a while to settle into the game with a low scoring first quarter, Wolves Centre Amir Williams was the catalyst for the Wolves with an and one followed by a block leading to a flurry of points from Mark Hughes set the home team on their way.

A strong defensive showing from both sides saw a low scoring first quarter but both teams would up the intensity levels in the second 10 minutes of the game.

Andy Thompson made an impact from behind the three-point line for the visitors but some neat play on the low post set Worcester off well on the offensive end of the floor with Maarten Bouwknecht and Kofi Josephs both finding success in and around the basket as well as from beyond perimeter.

Riders clawed back into the game to take a slender lead into half time and returned to the floor with a different approach to the game. They built a healthy lead with good spells of scoring and a strong defensive display.

The Wolves found a rhythm and started to chip away at the Riders lead with offensive rebounds and put backs from Julius Van Sauers and Cortez Edwards and a well shot corner three from Raheem May-Thompson with just seconds left of the third cut the Riders lead to just twelve points.

A very physical final quarter saw the home side continue to push their offence with multiple steals leading to Mark Hughes running the floor to slam the ball home followed by a drive through the lane and two-handed dunk for Julius Van Sauers with Kofi Josephs following with an and one from behind the three-point line.

“Both teams defended well in the first quarter giving the low score, and errors hurt both teams in the game” explained Wolves Head Coach Matt Newby.

“A couple of cognitive errors late in the game were probably the difference and that comes from experience and maturity, my guys gave a huge effort tonight, maybe we were not bold enough.

 I am looking forward to the second leg and we will see how it plays out”.

Kofi Josephs headed the scoring for the Wolves with sixteen points while Amir Williams dominance on the boards continued with fourteen rebounds and a great defensive display by Cortez Edwards and Mark Hughes both with 4 steals.

The Wolves next face Bristol Flyers away in the BBL Championship on Saturday (December 14^th) before returning to the University Of Worcester Arena on Friday 20^th December when they welcome the Glasgow Rocks to Worcester for the first time this season.