A RESILIENT Worcester Wolves showed their title credentials when they came from behind to beat Cheshire Phoenix in an overtime thriller.
The 89-85 win was Wolves’ eighth straight league win and kept the club in pole position at the top of the BBL Championship going into February.
And Friday night’s win proved why Wolves have been so strong this season after coming through a close battle against an impressive Cheshire Phoenix side as victors.
Wolves remain four points clear at the top of the table ahead of second placed Leicester Riders who have two games in hand.
Director of basketball Paul James said he was delighted to record a thrilling win and keep the momentum going.
“What a fantastic game, either team could have won it,” he said.
“They (Cheshire) got a big lead, but we made some key plays at the end. “Cheshire are tough, one of the hottest teams at the moment, so I’m really delighted that we found a way to get the win.
“It’s fabulous to be at the top of the league.”
A close game looked likely from the outset as Cheshire began brightly, taking their good form into the University of Worcester Arena clash off the back of their win against Leicester Riders in the BBL Trophy.
Dominique Coleman and Victor Moses were quick to showcase their skill and helped them to a 25-21 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Wolves’ Will Creekmore kept the home side ticking along in a close second quarter before they gained a 45-41 lead at half time when Cheshire’s Devan Bailey clumsily fouled Alex Owumi before arguing with the referee giving Wolves four free throws which were perfectly scored by the Wolves point guard.
But Wolves were unable to pull away from their strong opponents as Cheshire fought back after half time restricting the home side’s scoring significantly and Coleman was again the man in form hitting his fourth and fifth three-pointers of the match.
Leading 59-56, Cheshire’s second half dominance continued at the start of the final quarter as a run of seven straight points extended their lead to ten points.
Facing possible defeat, Wolves’s dynamic duo of Owumi and Zaire Taylor helped lift the side and found the target just when it mattered but were still trailing as the clock ticked down.
But with just seventeen seconds left Taylor hit a vital two-point basket to force the scores level before a last-gasp effort from Cheshire failed to hit the target which led to overtime being called.
And the momentum along with the support of a large Wolves crowd helped Wolves clinch the win in the extra five minutes as Taylor and Owumi fired the hosts to victory.
