WORCESTER Wolves are bottom of the British Basketball League after losing their third straight game.

At the University of Worcester, they fell to defeat against bogey side Plymouth Raiders for the ninth successive time.

But Wolves put in a determined and improved display ahead of Sunday’s home showdown with Sheffield Sharks and led for the vast majority of a hard-fought match.

Player-coach Skouson Harker top-scored with 17 ahead of Justin Brown (15) and Harry Disy (15).

Raiders went ahead for the first time with just six minutes left and then accelerated away to win by 12 points.

Wolves, who have already released summer signing Tommy Johnson, made a fine start and led by four at the end of the first quarter with much-improved defence.

At the other end, fine offensive drives from Harker and quality rebounding from Brown meant Wolves continued to shine in the second quarter.

Plymouth were on the back foot when the hosts produced a 10-2 run to lead 38-26.

Only high-class play from the visitors’ Drew Lasker kept them in the game.

Lasker ended the game on 32 points and Plymouth were inspired to close the gap to five by half-time.

The third quarter was tighter as the teams traded points and good spells of defence.

But Worcester did not score as well as Plymouth from the free-throw line or from beyond the three-point arc.

For the second successive week, Wolves only landed four three-pointers in the whole game.

For Plymouth, Gaylon Moore contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Disy and Andrew Wallace battled hard for Wolves, while Harker and Brown continued their fine early-season form.

Wolves’ point-guard Will Funn was also in the thick of the action with seven assists to help the big forwards with deft, sharp passes.

At the start of the decisive final quarter, Raiders broke the game open with a 14-1 streak.

Hard-working Wolves only used six players all night and they naturally tired, while the deep Plymouth bench contributed 22 points throughout.

They rotated 10 players to good effect, including ex-Worcester star James Noel.

Once Plymouth led 66-65, they never looked back and easily held on for victory.

Wolves ran into foul trouble which led to Disy and Jamaal Caterina leaving the game early.