WORCESTER Wolves rose back to the top of the British Basketball League after a pulsating victory at fellow title-challengers Leicester Riders.

Their 69-62 success finally ended Riders’ record-breaking 34-game home unbeaten run in the BBL, stretching back to February 2012.

In a close game, Wolves prevented their opponents scoring a basket from anywhere other than the free-throw line for the first six minutes of the last quarter.

A nervous first five minutes saw the scores level at 4-4.

Ex-Worcester Wolves centre Barry Lamble nudged his side in front but former Leicester guard Zaire Taylor replied with a quick double.

The initial quarter ended 16-14 in Wolves’ favour after back-up point guard Caylin Raftopoulos’ clever pass allowed Andreas Schreiber to lay home.

Early in the second period, Riders’ Andrew Sullivan floated home a three-pointer before watching Taylor do likewise.

Worcester big man Will Creekmore opened his account and the teams were tied at 23-23.

As the half-time buzzer sounded, there was concern for Wolves when Schreiber was adjudged to have impeded Leicester’s Anthony Downing as he made for the basket.

Two Downing free throws put his side 34-29 ahead and left Schreiber on three of his allotted five fouls.

After the break, Sullivan nailed a score for himself and assisted Lamble to increase his tally.

However, he also had the ball snatched from his hands and swiftly put through the hoop by Taylor.

Schreiber hit a double of baskets to close out the third quarter but had picked up his fourth foul and still saw his side trailing 47-43.

Worcester finally asserted their authority in the final period. Five points from Alex Owumi gave his side their first lead since the opening quarter. Owumi and Creekmore made it 53-47 with six minutes left.

Despite Owumi and Creekmore joining Schreiber on the four-foul mark, they stood firm in repelling a succession of attacks.

With four minutes remaining, Riders scored from the field to peg Wolves back to 59-52.

Guard Connor Washington ignited the hopes of a capacity home crowd with a triple, drawing his side back to 64-60, but Worcester closed out the evening from the free-throw line.

Wolves coach Paul James said: “You can’t express the magnitude of this win.

“Not only have we beaten a very good defensive team in Leicester but we’ve also beaten them in their own gym, where they haven’t lost in I don’t know how long. I’m so proud of these players.”

Owumi and Taylor led Wolves’ scoring with 20 and 19 points respectively, while Downing replied with 14.

Wolves head to another title-challenger in Newcastle Eagles on Friday.