WORCESTER Wolves slumped to their third defeat in three British League games when they went down 96-83 at Cheshire Jets.

Coach Chuck Evans’ team were hoping to bounce back after the previous day’s heavy 100-71 defeat to Sheffield Sharks.

Wolves started the Jets game with Simon Stewart, Vidmantis Uzkuraitis, Skouson Harker, Evaldes Zabas and Chey Christie as Randy George was still unavailable and, for the third successive game, competed well in the first quarter as the period ended all square at 25 each.

It was Zabas who was the star attraction for the Wolves as he potted the first three three-pointers he attempted and followed it up with another two-pointer as the Wolves went into an early lead at 16-9.

The Lithuanian was to finish on 17 personal points but the home side then got going with a 13-4 burst of their own as Chez Marks was scoring well on his way to a game high of 18 points.

For the third match in a row, it was the second quarter that proved Wolves undoing as they slumped to an 11 points deficit at half-time.

Only Harker was showed any determination for Wolves with 15 points scored and 16 rebounds and his efforts kept the visitors in the contest.

As the third period unfolded Wolves were fighting hard for their first league win of the season and closed the gap to three points at 61-58 as Harry Disy (17) and Christie (12) found some form.

But Worcester then conceded three turnovers in quick succession and the experienced Jets accepted the gifts and went on to take the penultimate stanza 73-62.

It was the same story in the fourth quarter as Wolves showed real determination and fighting spirit and again reduced the gap to three points at 73-70 with seven minutes remaining.

Disy was relentless as he showed real glimpses of last season’s free-flowing, athletic basketball with three baskets in succession, but Cheshire weathered the storm.

Their experienced trio of Shawn Myers (17), Frank Phifer (14) and James Hamilton (14) wore down the Wolves. Only Harker had the size to match them and, hard as he tried, he could not do it on his own up front.

Wolves battled hard but at the end of the match were well beaten by 13 points at 96-83.

Coach Evans has a lot to think about as he prepares his team for the next home game at the University of Worcester on Saturday night against Glasgow Rocks.