Wolves beaten in Trophy semi first leg (From Worcester News)

Wolves beaten in Trophy semi first leg

9:47pm Friday 1st March 2013 in Sport By Steve Carley, @stevecarleyWN

WORCESTER Wolves’ hopes of reaching their first major final hang in the balance as they head into tomorrow night’s British Basketball League Trophy semi-final second leg at Leicester Riders (7.30pm tip-off) trailing by nine points.

Paul James’ side battled throughout last night’s enthralling first leg at the University of Worcester, which the Riders won 82-73.

Alex Owumi led the Worcester charge with 29 points, while Arturas Masiulis added 16 in a feisty encounter in front of a sell-out crowd.

Zaire Taylor sunk 29 points for the Riders, who have already won the BBL Cup this season, with 17 from Pavol Losonsky.

Sherrad Prezzie-Blue managed six points in his first appearance in four games but was holding an ice pack on his troublesome knee during the second-half.

Despite 10 points from Arturas Masiulis and seven from Owumi, Wolves trailed 20-19 at the end of a feisty first quarter that saw neither side prepared to give an inch.

Wolves were quick out of the blocks at the start of the second period and opened up a 27-21 cushion.

Leicester, for whom coach Rob Paternostro was warned by the referee after taking exception to decisions, hit back and led 29-27 before Wolves stepped on the gas.

They pulled clear at 42-31 with some incisive play, inspired by Owumi, and remained in the driving seat at 44-40 at half-time.

The hosts held another eight-point advantage at 50-42 early in the third stanza but were again pegged back as Riders edged ahead 53-51.

Tensions mounted as the fourth quarter approached and Arnas Kazlauskas was penalised for an unsportsmanlike foul on Jorge Calvo.

Leicester entered the final period with a 63-60 cushion, a position they maintained. However, the visitors began to dominate and went 76-68 in front before increasing their lead in the final second.