WORCESTER Wolves recorded an assured victory over Manchester Giants at the University Arena.

The Giants came into Friday’s match as the only team to have inflicted a league defeat on Wolves this season, winning 93-83 in October.

Last month’s encounter featured a strong second-half comeback from the Giants and there was a similar resurgence this time round, with Manchester even edging a point ahead with four minutes remaining. However, on this occasion, Worcester kept their focus to regain the lead.

Captain Alex Owumi was the leading scorer with 25 points, including six triples.

American centre Robert Thurman also impressed with a double-double performance of 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Both sides came out firing from the tip-off.

By the close of the first period, Owumi had already got the crowd to their feet with a trio of three-pointers, while Wolves’ forwards Remi Dibo and Jamal Williams were also successful from distance.

Former Worcester favourite David Watts opened his account with a three at the buzzer to keep his team in touch at 34-24.

The furious early pace understandably slowed in the second quarter, with a switch in emphasis to battles closer to the basket. Veteran 36-year-old Manchester centre Mike Bernard could initially only watch as his younger and quicker counterpart Thurman danced past him for a couple of scores.

Refusing to be bowed, Bernard was able to roll back the years and display the footwork that bought him a lengthy and lucrative career on the continent.

An 11 point half-time advantage for the hosts, at 53-42, was maintained by an even third period that ended at 70-59.

But it was in the last quarter where the action heated up.

Thurman provided a sky-hook score and Owumi once more connected from outside the arc to extend the lead to 75-61.

With eight minutes remaining, Watts swished home a basket that ignited a 13-0 run for his side over the next three minutes.

Latvian forward Ingus Bankevics pounced on a wayward Worcester pass and gleefully converted his steal into points.

A three-pointer then edged the Giants’ noses in front at 76-77.

Emerging Wolves guard Disraeli Lufadeju thrilled the home support to retake the lead with two-and-a-half minutes left to play.

Owumi finally put paid to the comeback when he confidently floated in another triple.