WORCESTER Wolves delighted a sold-out University Arena as they emerged victorious from a bruising toe-to-toe battle with British Basketball League table-toppers Newcastle Eagles.

Wolves’ sensational win means that Eagles have lost just three times in 32 games this season, with each of those defeats coming at the hands of Worcester.

It is also the first time Newcastle have lost three times in the league to the same opponents since Mersey Tigers completed the treble during the 2010-11 season.

Captain Alex Owumi was the stand out man in the statistics with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Kalil Irving produced a season-best tally of 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Irving’s fourth basket secured a 24-16 advantage, but Eagles claimed the last seven points of the first quarter.

At two minutes into the second period the sides were tied at 27-27 when Newcastle’s point guard Rahmon Fletcher took a worryingly-hard fall to the ground.

It would be half-an-hour before play could resume, with Fletcher eventually stretchered off to hospital.

Owumi nailed the first of what would turn out to be five three-pointers and Dejan Radojevic also got his name on the scoresheet.

A triple from Eagles’ veteran forward Charles Smith rounded off the half with Worcester’s noses still in front at 40-38. After three minutes of the second half had elapsed, Newcastle finally edged ahead at 45-47.

However, an 8-2 run for the hosts would once more draw the teams together.

Eagles’ Drew Lasker levelled the match at 65-65 as the final quarter began.

Consecutive threes from Owumi and Jamal Williams eased the pressure before Smith was again on target.

An acrobatic spin from Lasker again gave Eagles the lead at 79-77 with a couple of minutes remaining. With under a minute to go, Owumi brought spectators to their feet when calmly connecting from distance to give his side a slender 81-79 lead.

Newcastle’s Great Britain international Darius Defoe showed that there would be no end to the ding-dong nature of the contest when dragging matters back to 82-81 with just 13 seconds to play.

Forced to foul to regain possession, Eagles were left to watch Wolves rack up points from the free-throw line.

The feisty encounter ended with Newcastle assistant coach Dave Forrester ejected after incurring a double technical foul for berating the match officials.