WORCESTER Wolves suffered their second defeat in three British Basketball League Trophy group games, going down 84-78 at Cheshire Jets in a pulsating encounter.

They took to the floor at Northgate Arena with Rod Middleton, Danny Gilbert, Kastytis Normantas, Alexis Zimnickas and Jusin Dobbins.

But, in a change to their first two outings, struggled defensively as the livewire Jets established a 28-21 advantage in the first 10 minutes.

Jets looked sluggish in the first-half during Worcester’s home win the previous weekend but Quemont Greer, with 21 points, and Matt Schneck (19) helped pile on the pressure this time.

The normally-effective Wolves bench were poor and only contributed a single two-point effort, while the Cheshire subs totalled 20. Wolves’ deficit increased to 14 in the second quarter as the teams went into the locker room at 53-39.

Only terrific long-range shooting from the most valuable player Gilbert, who fired in four second-quarter three-pointers, kept Wolves in sight of the much-improved Jets.

The 12 points, part of his haul of 23, was significant as Wolves wore down the hosts in the third 10-minute period.

Gilbert was helped by Middleton’s 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Normantas added 18 points.

Wolves, who lost to Mersey Tigers the day before, got the deficit down to 63-62 but Jets replied with a 10-4 burst and the visitors missed free throws.

Dobbins responded with two close-range baskets but Jets buried their next opportunity to win 84-78.

Wolves coach Paul James said: “We simply missed too many opportunities.

“Our free throws were very poor and we cannot expect to win games with a conversion rate from the line of just 38 per cent.

“However, I was pleased with our third-quarter performance where we showed a lot of character and won 23-14 to get ourselves back in the game.”

Wolves host champions Newcastle Eagles on Saturday at the University of Worcester in the first BBL game of the season (7pm).