WORCESTER Wolves’ winless streak continued after a late collapse saw them drop to a 79-66 loss at London City Royals on another weekend to forget for the Wolfpack.
The defeat came less than 48 hours after a 94-79 loss at the University of Worcester Arena on Friday evening against the London Lions and means Wolves have recorded one win in 17 British Basketball League games this season.
Sunday’s trip to the capital saw Wolves fight back from a third-quarter deficit to draw level at 61-61 with five minutes to play but they closed the afternoon with a spell of careless ball-handling and ill-discipline, allowing London to stroll to a comfortable result.
Royals’ Will Neighbour made space to slot in a double of three-pointers to begin the match. Seven points for Adam Thoseby were the feature of a first-quarter that ended tied at 14-14.
The second period opened in pedestrian fashion for Wolves as they watched London pulse to 11 points without reply.
After five minutes Darell Combs sprang to life to open his scoring account and promptly nailed subsequent triples to drag Worcester back into contention, just 27-26 in arrears.
Miki Servera took advantage of a clever inbound pass from Jordan Whelan to nudge the visitors 31-30 ahead at half-time.
Royals looked as if they would draw away after the break. However, more sharp-shooting from Combs kept his side in touch, trailing 55-48 entering the final quarter.
Lester Prosper got to work close to the hoop and Combs floated home his fifth and sixth long-distance successes to erase the deficit.
However, repeated errant passes, a failure to move the ball over the half-court line within the permitted eight seconds and not taking a shot within the permitted 24 seconds all combined to gift scores to London.
Royals’ latest signing Wes Washpun delighted in grabbing all of his team’s 13 closing points, including four free throws awarded after a series of technical fouls called against their opponents.
Combs led the scoring with 24 points. Prosper was the only other Worcester man to significantly impact the statistics with a 12-point and 13-rebound double-double showing.
Interim coach Dean Blake was blunt in his assessment of the defeat and said: “We have to play for all four quarters and give intensity from the opening tip to the final buzzer. We have to find a way to execute our offenses and get the ball in the hoop.”
Wolves return to action next Friday, February 1 when Newcastle Eagles visit the University of Worcester Arena.