Wolves look to roar back at Lions
10:18am Friday 4th April 2008
WORCESTER Wolves will look to bounce back from their 104-99 defeat at Leicester Riders tonight when they play MK Lions at the Bletchley Leisure Centre (7.30pm tip-off) in the British Basketball League.
Skouson Harker, who signed a new two-year deal with the University-based side, will be looking for his side to get back on track as they push for the BBL play-offs.
The Lions were in action live on Setanta last week against Scottish Rocks and player-coach Harker was impressed with what he saw.
"I've studied them closely on Setanta and they're a good team who can bring in so many different players to hurt you," the Wolves chief said. "They've got so many different combinations of guys, and their depth means they are a threat in the play-offs.
"We've got contrasting styles, we like to get up and down whereas they slow down and play their sets. They are capable of running more than they do with the wing guys if they need to, but I think it will come down to rebounding.
"If we can get the boards and run, we'll be okay, but if they dominate on the glass we'll be in trouble."
Lions have won both of the previous games against the Wolves this season. The teams met on the second weekend of the season, and Lions dramatically snatched a 94-90 victory.
They trailed by five points with a minute to go as Robert Youngblood entered the fray after three Lions fouled out. He subsequently scored a three-pointer to narrow the deficit, which was matched by Kevin Griffin with 33 seconds to go to tie the game, after Chuck Evans had made a one-two at the line for the Wolves.
The Lions stole the ball on the inbounds, which allowed Peter Heizer a lay-up, and coming out of a time-out the Wolves fouled Dru Spinks, who iced the game with 2/2 from the charity stripe.
Yorick Williams led the scoring for the home side with 21 points, while Anthony Paez led all scorers with 31.
The return saw Lions record a more comfortable 86-82 win, but they were still made to fight all the way.
Wolves refused to give in after trailing 77-68 in the fourth quarter, and they got back within two with 40 second left thanks to two three-points shots from Harker.
However, the home side couldn't score the vital bucket and Terrell Brown sealed the match from the free throw line. Paez again led all scorers with 32-points, while Brown topped Lions with 17.