A SUPERB shooting display put Worcester Wolves on the brink of a Wembley trip for the British Basketball League’s showpiece play-off final with a 79-59 semi-final first-leg win at Sheffield Sharks.

Several months ago, Wolves travelled to Sheffield in the BBL Trophy semi-final first leg and, despite holding a 20-point lead, allowed their hosts to reduce the arrears to just a couple by the end of the evening.

On Friday, the eventual Trophy winners again built up a substantial buffer but, on this occasion, firmly denied the Sharks any opportunity of a similar comeback.

The undoubted star of the show was club captain Alex Owumi, who connected with seven of his 11 long-distance shot attempts on his way to contributing 28 points towards his side’s impressive triumph.

An Owumi triple at the close of the opening quarter put Wolves 26-16 in front and the cushion was maintained by half-time when Owumi again floated in a shot from outside the arc just as the period expired, making it 43-34.

By the end of the third quarter, the visitors' advantage was extended to 60-44 and it continued to rise during the match’s final 10 minutes.

As the clock ticked down, Owumi further demoralised his opponents when nailing his last three-pointer before Zach Gachette did likewise for Sheffield and point guard BJ Holmes slotted home two free throws.

Zaire Taylor was Wolves’ next highest scorer with 21 points. Holmes was Sheffield’s only double-digit scorer with 15.

The second leg of the tie is at the University of Worcester Arena today (6.30pm). The victors will meet the winners of Newcastle Eagles or Leicester Riders.