Wolfpack defence digs deep to extinguish Scorchers in 'outstanding' BBL victory - The Worcester Observer

Wolfpack defence digs deep to extinguish Scorchers in 'outstanding' BBL victory

Worcester Editorial 27th Nov, 2017 Updated: 27th Nov, 2017   0

WOLVES head coach Paul James hailed his side’s ‘outstanding’ performance after they won successive BBL games for the first time this season with a 76-61 victory over Surrey Scorchers on Sunday night.

Wolves surged to a 15-point first quarter advantage at Guildford’s Surrey Sports Park and never surrendered that lead for the remainder of the evening, as they denied their opponents room to manoeuvre whilst making repeated runs to the basket.

“We executed our game plan superbly,” said James.

“We planned to control the tempo of the game and conserve our energy, and that’s just what we did.




“To hold Surrey to only 11 points in the first quarter and nine in the third was an outstanding display of composure. We focused on limiting them to single shots in their attacks and, aside from easing off in the last quarter, our defence was spot on,” he added.

With the game tied at 6-6 midway through the opening period, the visitors exploded into action with a flurry of scores as Alex Navajas sank a three-pointer before Elvisi Dusha came off the bench and made an instant impact with a steal and subsequent score.


Dusha then set up a triple for George Beamon, before Dallin Bachynski slammed home a rebounded shot to open a 16-7 lead.

It would take nearly six minutes for Scorchers to add to their seven points, by which time Wolves had accelerated into a 33-13 advantage.

By five minutes into the second-half, the visitors still held control at 51-26, as repeated Surrey attacks were nullified by a resilient Wolves defence.

Former Worcester guard Caylin Raftopoulas shone briefly for his team with a trio of three-pointers late on, but his side’s poor passes and shot-clock violations paved the way for Wolves to pick up their third win of the campaign.

Beamon, Navajas and Dusha led the scoring with 14 points apiece, with the latter also claiming three steals and six assists.

Wolves take on Plymouth Raiders at the University of Worcester Arena on Friday (tip-off 7.30pm).

 

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