WORCESTER Wolves failed to follow up Saturday’s overtime win at Bristol Flyers when dropping to a 94-85 reversal at Cheshire Phoenix the next day.

Coach Paul James warned his side would need to perform better than they had in Bristol, where he thought they had only sneaked the British Basketball League Trophy win, but another stale display was all they could produce.

A disappointed James said: “We paid the price for a lack of rebounding at crucial times. We forced them to miss shots but then allowed them to be first to get the ball back.”

The score stayed tight for most of the afternoon with Wolves holding a slender lead as time wound down.

However, repeating a pattern seen throughout the match, twice during the last three minutes Cheshire were allowed to bully their way to offensive rebounds and subsequently convert to pull away.

Pavol Losonsky and Orlan Jackman led the Wolves scorers with 28 and 19 points respectively in the BBL fixture.

But it was notable the bulk of both players’ output came in a second half when eight points from Javier Mugica and two from Jay Couisnard were the only other scoring contributions.

A quartet of baskets for Josh Cameron were the highlight of a 19-19 first quarter.

The hosts moved 25-21 ahead after Danny Huffor made the second of what would become four first-half three-pointers for the Cheshire guard.

Jackman debuted on the scoresheet in the last minute of the half and added another score to keep Worcester in touch at 43-39.

He added three more buckets soon after the interval and then took aim for two outside successes.

Losonsky was similarly effective, standing close to the hoop to rattle home 13 third-quarter points.

But, worryingly, Wolves showed frailty around their own basket and on repeated occasions a Cheshire shot would go awry only for their attackers to react the quickest in securing second opportunities.

A Mugica triple put the visitors 77-72 to the good with seven minutes remaining.

From there, the lead was whittled down with Phoenix’s American pairing of Akeem Ellis and Kinu Rochford firing.

A double of tip-ins for Rochford moved his side 85-82 in front and roused a large home crowd.

Ellis slotted home his own double, hammering on the floor and then the advertising boards around the court as both he and spectators celebrated the comeback victory.

Wolves complete a four-game road trip at Sheffield Sharks on Friday before facing league leaders Newcastle Eagles at the University of Worcester Arena on Friday, January 22.

“We are going to have to be much tougher and much more physical,” added James.