WORCESTER Wolves chalked up their first British Basketball League win of the season at leaders Everton Tigers.
The tip-off was delayed by more than 90 minutes as horrendous traffic meant Wolves took more than six hours to make the journey north.
However, the visitors started best and soon went on an early 9-2 run with Anthony Paez making his way to an invaluable 31 points.
He was matched by Tigers’ Andre Smith who eventually scored 32 and collected a staggering 16 rebounds.
It enabled the home team to edge in front by four points as the game approached half-time before Wolves’ Harry Disy produced a fine burst.
Disy scored their next nine points on his own and found time for a fantastic flying block in defence.
Wolves ended the half with the advantage at 54-49 but it was still anyone’s game and two technical fouls in a minute let Tigers back into the game.
Worcester centre Justin Brown had an immense personal battle against Chris Haslam but took the honours.
Everton were not finished, however, and Justin Gross contributed a double-double of his own and helped them take the third quarter by 11 to lead 84-70.
But player-coach Harker was determined as he contributed 17 points, while Will Funn was adding useful assists and steals to Disy’s double-double for the second game in a row.
The game continued to ebb and flow and, with five minutes left, it was 84-84 before Everton cracked under the pressure.
Paez capitalised on a technical foul and calmly added the four free throws.
Wolves were being driven on by a superb game from new Lithuanian star Vidmantas Uzkuraitis, running the floor as Funn had fouled out.
He made five threes in just six attempts and dictated the game with deft touches and impressive faints.
Wolves followed his lead and found themselves up by six and then youngster Andrew Wallace coolly added two free throws.
Everton cut the lead to just three but Wolves added two free throws from Vidmantis and a final two from Paez to seal a superb success in Liverpool.
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