Saturday, October 29, 2005

ANDY Harper scored 33 points as Worcester Wolves eventually saw off London Capitals 91-76.

The American shooting guard netted a series of successful three-pointers as Wolves finally did enough to edge past a towering London side at the University of Worcester.

Lithuanian Valdas Urbonavicius also scored 23 points, while Ty Shaw and Colin Chiverton bagged 11 each.

Tip-off was delayed by 12 minutes due to the visitors' late arrival, but when the game got underway, the Capitals held their own for much of the match, giving Wolves their first taste of the challenges to come.

The Capitals opened the scoring before Chiverton responded with two from a Shaw feed. Matt Collins then fed Harper to add another two points.

After slipping 14-7 behind at one stage, Worcester regrouped and pulled back to lead 16-14 after a three-pointer from Harper. Worcester closed the quarter 26-22 ahead.

Harper sunk another three to open the second quarter for Wolves, but within two minutes the Capitals had levelled at 28-28.

Again, Worcester stepped up the pace to retake the lead. As the quarter progressed, London's defence got more physical and fouls against several Worcester players saw Shaw replaced by Chiverton. However, London managed to get within striking distance and reached half-time a point adrift at 48-47.

Worcester's first points of the third quarter came courtesy of Shaw. Harper then showed his defensive qualities to thwart a London break.

The gap between the teams remained tight and the lead changed hands on several occasions.

The last points of the quarter came from Chiverton, after which Worcester kept the Capitals out for the full 24 seconds to close the third quarter 64-64.

London edged ahead in the final quarter but Wolves regained the lead at 68-67.

As the clock ran down, the visitors began to make mistakes and commit more fouls. The resulting bonuses helped Worcester build on their lead and gradually struggle clear of the Capitals.

London's Tackie, Blaszczyck and Warmann were all sent to the bench in the last few minutes after a series of deliberate fouls.

This resulted in six free throws which Collins despatched with pin-point accuracy.

London struggled to find the basket in the closing stages, allowing the hosts to pull away.