A TRIP to Leicester Riders awaits high-flying Worcester Wolves who jumped up to third in the British Basketball League with a 79-65 success over Cheshire Phoenix.
A large crowd was on hand at the University of Worcester Arena to see if Wolves could repeat the form that has pushed them through to the BBL Cup final at the end of this month.
Worcester fended off early Cheshire resistance to build a 25-14 first quarter lead and kept a double-digit cushion until the end of the evening for their fourth championship win in a row.
Raheem May-Thompson’s third score created a 16-12 gap between the sides with three minutes left in the opening quarter.
Mark Hughes powered forwards to thump the ball through the hoop and showcased his versatility with a long-range score that confirmed Wolves’ control.
A series of driving layups from Cortez Edwards continued the momentum. Even when shots went astray Edwards’ effervescence saw him able to defy greater numbers to grab second opportunities.
Maarten Bouwknecht debuted on the scoresheet to bring up a 45-29 advantage just after half-time.
Early in the final period Edwards extended the punishment to 64-45 when he stole the ball at midcourt and celebrated with a dazzling reverse dunk.
Jordan Williams tormented defenders with his back-to-the-basket superiority and May-Thompson pulsed to a game-high 23 points as Worcester sauntered to their victory.
Edwards and Williams both posted 16 points with the former also tallying 12 assists and 10 rebounds for a prized triple-double performance. Hughes supplied a similarly-impactful all-round display with 14 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
Coach Matt Newby hailed his players for their fourth win in six league games which propelled them into the upper echelons of the table.
“Everyone contributed on Friday, it was a team win. It was a little ugly here and there but when you can still win ugly that’s no bad thing,” he said.
Tonight’s trip to the East Midlands (tip off 7.30pm) will be Wolves’ last encounter before they take to the court for the BBL Cup final against Bristol Flyers at Arena Birmingham on Sunday, January 26.