WORCESTER Wolves slipped to third in the British Basketball League as they suffered their heaviest defeat for more than two years.

The University Arena side were beaten 89-60 at Glasgow Rocks, their largest margin of defeat since losing 87-65 at Plymouth Raiders in December 2012.

Wolves now trail leaders Newcastle Eagles and Leicester Riders ahead of Friday’s home clash against Sheffield Sharks.

Worcester fell prey to a barrage of three-pointers, conceding six in the first-half alone, going 49-30 behind by the interval, with the deficit further widening by the end of the match.

After triumphing in a low-scoring encounter against Durham, head coach Paul James later admitted his surprise that his team’s defence could have become so porous in such a short space of time.

Triples for Glasgow guards Tayo Ogedengbe and Reggie Middleton set the early tone as their side moved 12-5 ahead.

Player-coach Sterling Davis stole the ball from Wolves’ Chavis Holmes to set up a three-pointer for Danny Huffor. Huffor was on target again from distance to help Rocks to a 22-15 first quarter lead.

Former Wolves favourite Tommy Freeman assisted Davis to begin the second period scoring and opened his own account a few moments later. After four minutes had elapsed, the advantage had accelerated to 34-17.

Robert Thurman was the only Worcester man to tally more than a single basket before the break, but even his threat was subdued after he had picked up his third foul when bustling into Freeman.

Thurman was later forced off the court when whistled for his fourth offence shortly into the second-half. There was success of a sort for Wolves when the third quarter concluded with their hosts having moved just a point further ahead at 64-44.

However, Rocks’ dominance returned in the final 10 minutes. Their homegrown reserve guard pairing of Dale Grieve and Johnny Bunyan got in on the act as they both connected from beyond the arc.

The latter even slotted home a rare three foul shots, awarded after he was impeded by Holmes.

By contrast, Wolves could muster just a couple of successes from the field across the entire quarter.