Worcester Wolves 97 Cheshire Jets 87 (From Worcester News)

Worcester Wolves 97 Cheshire Jets 87

7:58pm Sunday 22nd January 2012 in Worcester Wolves

WORCESTER Wolves maintained the pressure on British Basketball League leaders Newcastle Eagles with victory over Cheshire Jets at the University of Worcester.

After easily seeing off the two teams at the foot of the table, Mersey Tigers and Durham Wildcats, the previous weekend, Wolves found themselves in a slightly harder contest when facing another of this season’s strugglers.

Centre Richie Gordon was once more quickly into his stride, taking four of his side’s first six points, and also recording an early block and a steal, as the hosts led 24-16 at the end of the first period.

A couple of three-point scores from forwards Tommy Freeman and David Watts in the early exchanges of the second quarter were enough for Jets coach John Lavery to call a time-out with his side trailing 34-16.

The Wolves lead was extended to 41-20 following a stunning coast-to-coast basket from Spanish forward Carlos Fernandez.

Seven points without reply from Australian guard Dan Briglia brought the Jets back into contention, however, steady scoring from Wolves point guard Sherrad Prezzie-Blue, including a neat lay-up on the half-time buzzer, ensured a 50-35 advantage for the hosts.

This 15-point cushion was steadily maintained throughout a third quarter that featured further accurate shooting from downtown by Freeman.

A 70-54 lead entering the final period of play was swiftly extended to 76-54 following another triple from Freeman, and one from the hardworking Arnas Kazlauskas.

While swarming defence from the Jets enabled them to reduce their arrears to 82-71 with five minutes remaining, the visitors were unable to make any further significant headway as the game wound down to Wolves’ eighth victory from their last nine matches.

Director of Basketball Paul James said: “We threatened to blow the game wide open at one point.

“But Cheshire are a good side and kept coming back. However, I felt we were always in control.”

Prezzie-Blue registered a double-double of statistics, top-scoring for the Wolves with 24 points to go alongside 10 assists.

Freeman was the next highest scorer for Wolves with 19 points, including five long-range scores.

Cheshire centre Matt Schneck led his team’s scorers with 24 points.