WORCESTER Wolves went close to causing a major upset in their first shot at the British Basketball League play-offs.

After finishing eighth in the regular season, they were seen off 105-96 by top-of-the-table Newcastle Eagles at the Metro Arena in one of the biggest games in Wolves' history.

The opening quarter was an even affair with Skouson Harker providing the main offensive threat for the Wolves, yet the hosts closed the opening stanza with a 23-18 lead.

Three-time play-off champions Eagles never trailed during the first quarter and Ola Babalola caused major concerns as Shaun Durant and Ivan Brosko conceded early fouls against the Eagles' big man.

A 4-0 run at the start of the second period opened up the first serious lead at 27-18 for Newcastle before Wolves began to fight back.

James Life found his range from distance and Anthony Paez enjoyed success on the fast break, converting two consecutive slam-dunks.

A 12-0 burst handed the visitors their first lead at 43-40 but it did not last for long as Eagles battled back to go in at half-time 52-51 in front.

The match was in the balance deep into the third quarter until the Eagles suddenly broke it open. From 64-63, a 12-0 burst with five from Steve Leven and four from Babalola helped Newcastle head into the final stanza 78-67 up.

While Harker continued to respond at both ends of the court, Durant collected a fifth foul for objecting too strongly to the referee.

Although Wolves battled hard with Chuck Evans converting fine drives to basket and Newcastle lost key players through fouls, the closest they could get was 89-82 on the back of two Life free-throws.

Life led all-scorers with 29, while Paez managed 24 and Harker 20.

Director of basketball Mick Donovan said: "We came very close to causing a major upset, yet there were still too many ifs in our performance and in some ways it was a missed opportunity.

"The team were led valiantly by example by Skouson and while reflecting upon what might have been, we can draw consolation from the fact that we had the strongest club in the country on the back foot for significant parts of the game."