Milton Keynes Lions 99 Worcester Wolves 82 (From Worcester News)

Milton Keynes Lions 99 Worcester Wolves 82

10:26am Wednesday 30th November 2011 in Reports

WORCESTER Wolves failed to repeat their impressive early-season form when stumbling to a 99-82 defeat at Milton Keynes Lions last night.

In a back-and-forth first quarter, strong inside play from Richie Gordon, including 10 points and a couple of blocked shots, helped Wolves to a 19-17 edge.

Eight straight points in the first two minutes of the second period from Lions’ playmaker Demarius Bolds forced Worcester coach Paul James to call a time-out.

However, Lions continued to score freely and were able to disrupt the Wolves offence with their stifling defence.

The first-half ended with the home side in front at 44-36.

The pattern of Wolves’ carelessness carried over to the start of the third quarter with James once more needing to call a halt in order to calm his side.

Trailing 41-54 with three minutes gone, the visitors caught a break when Tommy Freeman took an offensive charge from Bolds, sending him to the bench on four fouls.

When Lions’ centre Daniel Northern joined Bolds on four fouls shortly afterwards, the Wolves fightback began.

With Gordon once more dominating inside and Freeman and then Arnas Kazlauskas scoring from distance, the deficit was soon reduced.

With a minute remaining in the quarter, the game was tied at 64-64 when Gordon was pulled to the floor and made both his subsequent free throws.

When England International forward David Watts was fouled in the act of scoring from outside the arc, he was able to make the bonus shot and his side moved into a 72-70 lead with just under a second remaining.

But Milton Keynes guard Nuno Pedroso caught the inbound pass near the half-way line and optimistically heaved the ball towards the Wolves hoop.

The ball outrageously banked in off the backboard to put the Lions back in front at 73-72.

Urged on by a home crowd still celebrating his unlikely basket, Pedroso scored a quick five points to open the final period and helped put his side into an 82-74 lead with three minutes gone.

When Bolds and Northern then returned to the court, the Wolves resistance crumbled.

Numerous missed shots and casual defence ensued, leading to the final outcome.

A disappointed James admitted: “We ran out of steam and gave the momentum back to the Lions. We played into their hands.”

Lions’ coach Mike New said: “Our bench guys came through strongly until we got our big guns back in to seal the game.”

Gordon and Kazlauskas led the Wolves’ scorers with 27 points and 18 points respectively.

Bolds and Pedroso both scored 20 for Milton Keynes.

Wolves have a double-header this weekend, returning home to the University of Worcester this Saturday to meet the Mersey Tigers (tip off 7pm) before travelling to Guildford Heat on Sunday.