AMERICAN ace Josh Cooprider came good when it mattered as Worcester Wolves pulled off a vital 99-89 victory over Hull Icebergs in the National Basketball League Division One.

Cooprider was plunged straight into the action less than two days after a gruelling flight home from the United States, which included a bomb scare and the disappearance of his luggage.

But after a quiet opening, the guard came into his own in the final quarter, contributing 14 points including his fourth three-point basket of the night and inspiring his team-mates to turn round a four-point deficit.

It restored the Wolves to winning ways after two successive defeats before Christmas, and player-coach Rick Solvason was full of praise for his star man.

"It took him a bit of time to get into the game," said Solvason. "He has just come back from the States and has had a lot of worry with his luggage gone and lots of things missing.

"But he had a fantastic last two quarters and did a real nice job for us."

However, Solvason felt Wolves could have played much better against a side who have not won a league game this season.

He added: "Hull haven't won a game yet but all the games they have lost, none of them have been more than 10 points and they always work hard.

"We got them into foul trouble but we weren't able to capitalise on it. Our defence was poor at times and giving them some easy shots.

"At the end I said to the guys that we have won and we needed to get a win coming back after two losses, and we will take that."

Solvason also had kind words for several other players. "Colin Chiverton did a nice job in the first half when he got it inside. He has had a quiet last few games but did well tonight, and Ben Livingston settled us down and ran a few things.

"Matt Wurmli and Tom Thornton both came on in spells and kept their composure and for guys that haven't had many minutes on court, they did a nice job and the team played well around them."

Solvason was also quick to pay tribute to another large crowd at University College Worcester. "We haven't had a game for almost a month and to have almost a packed house was really nice.

"We have great fans compared to a lot of the places we go to, and they were really good again tonight."

Despite their backing, Wolves found it difficult to shake off a determined Hull outfit, and a 30-21 lead after the first quarter was turned into a 45-45 tie at the interval.

Wolves continued to be sluggish in the third quarter and started the final 10 minutes 70-66 down, but then Cooprider got to work and with Hull hampered by foul trouble, Wolves opened up what proved to be a decisive lead as they clinched a fourth league success in seven games.

Leading scorers: Chiverton 26, Cooprider 23, Solvason 17, Gerald 12, Vinsonneau 10.

n Wolves are at home again on Saturday against third-placed Westminster (7pm).