WOLVES head coach Paul James has challenged his side to bounce back from BBL Cup semi-final disappointment with victory in two important league clashes this weekend.
Worcester welcome Glasgow Rocks to the University of Worcester Arena on Friday (tip-off 7.30pm) before the short trip down the M5 to face Bristol Flyers in a re-arranged fixture 24 hours later.
In December Worcester Wolves eked out a tough win at Sheffield Sharks to progress through to the BBL Cup Final, but on Sunday James’ men were unable to repeat their heroics at the same stage of the BBL Trophy, against the same opponents.
Sheffield’s 75-66 success, coupled with last Wednesday’s 76-76 first-leg tie in Worcester, sent them through to March’s Trophy Final in Glasgow with a 161-152 aggregate.
With Dallin Bachynski sitting out his fifth game in a row, Wolves faced a height disadvantage against Sheffield that they were unable to overcome.
Sheffield had blitzed to a 14-4 lead by midway through the first quarter before a couple of Alex Navajas scores aided a 14-13 revival.
But another Sharks burst soon extended the lead to 23-15. On numerous occasions Sheffield were allowed second, and even third, chance shot attempts after scooping up offensive rebounds.
A handful of points from Trayvon Palmer, George Beamon and Brandon Parrish were the only contribution to the Worcester side of the scoreboard as they struggled to a 31-47 half-time deficit.
Three baskets and two made free throws for Michael Ojo as the third period expired trimmed Sheffield’s advantage to 60-53 and gave a flicker of hope to a large turnout of travelling supporters.
But any dreams of victory were cruelly dashed by a series of unopposed drives to the hoop from Sharks’ guard duo Chris Alexander and Edgar McKnight and ongoing inside dominance by their big men.
In a closely-refereed match, Wolves’ were whistled for their third technical foul in the final minute of the evening to put the lid on a disappointing defeat.
Beamon top-scored with 21 points. Navajas tallied 13 points, followed by 11 for Ojo.
Speaking after the game, James said: “It was one of those games where a lot didn’t go our way. The way the game was officiated played into Sheffield’s hands more than ours. It just wasn’t our day.”