WORCESTER Wolves missed out on the chance to draw level with Newcastle Eagles at the top of the British Basketball League with a defeat at home to Leicester Riders.

Looking for their fourth consecutive championship victory, Wolves were unable to provide their supporters at a packed University of Worcester with any Christmas cheer.

Although they initially competed well against a Leicester side that had only lost once in the BBL, the hosts fell apart in a disastrous third period, losing it 26-9, and also had forward Tommy Freeman sent off late on.

Paul James’ side remain second in the table, while the Riders are up to third place, four points behind Wolves but with four games in hand.

The disappointed director of basketball said: “We didn’t shoot the ball well in the second-half, when they got hot and we ended up chasing shadows.”

Wolves led 11-6 with four minutes played but five points from Riders guard Bradd Wierzbicki tied the game at 20-20. However, the hosts edged ahead again to close the first quarter with a 27-23 advantage.

Following Sherrad Prezzie-Blue’s third score from distance, Wolves led 37-29 after three minutes of the second quarter.

Further scoring from Arnas Kazlauskas took Wolves to their largest lead at 45-34 before a couple of late three-pointers from Wierzbicki kept the Riders in touch at 45-40 at half-time.

Richie Gordon, Wolves’ leading scorer with 18 points, and Prezzie-Blue extended the advantage to 50-42 early in the third quarter and, midway through the period, James’ side still held sway at 52-46 following two free-throws from Carlos Fernandez.

However, Worcester only scored a further two points in the quarter, while their opponents went on a scoring spree.

An Ayron Hardy dunk took the Riders ahead at 53-52 and an incredible 16 points in the period from Cameron Rundles helped give his team a comfortable 66-54 cushion going into the final 10 minutes.

The accurate outside shooting from Leicester continued as Wolves struggled to make shots of their own.

When Great Britain captain Andrew Sullivan powered home a basket three minutes into the final quarter, the score stood at 74-58.

A minute later, Freeman tugged at the vest of Wierzbicki and was subsequently ejected for his second unsportsmanlike foul of the game.

Trailing 83-64, Wolves’ troubles worsened when they were awarded a technical foul for dissent, leaving them no way back.

To rub salt into the wounds, ex-Worcester centre Barry Lamble capped the visitors’ triumph with a late score.