WORCESTER Wolves let an 18-point lead slip as they crashed out of the British Basketball League Cup at the quarter-final stage.

The University of Worcester outfit, boosted by a BBL win over the same opponents last weekend, looked set to make the competition’s semis for the first time.

With two minutes gone of the third quarter, Wolves led 64-46 when Riders coach Rob Paternosto changed his defensive strategy in a time-out.

Leicester talisman Tack Minor left the game with an eye injury and Wolves took full advantage with a 14-1 run to establish a strong position.

But Leicester’s Bradd Wierzbicki stepped up and dominated the game from that moment. From point guard in the absence of Minor, he finished with 38 points, including 15 in the last quarter.

When it was still a three-point game, Wiezbicki had the audacity to throw up an outrageous alley-oop which LaTaryl Williams converted.

Leicester completed their comeback by taking the second-half by 23 clear points which looked to be impossible after Wolves had played so well in the first-half.

Despite the late barrage, determined Wolves regained the lead at 85-83 with two minutes 40 seconds to go but Riders closed out the match with a 14-2 burst. The game was close in the first 10 minutes and Riders edged in front at 28-23.

The teams traded baskets until Evaldas Zabas and newcomer Nerijus Karlikanovas inspired Wolves to what looked an impenetrable lead.

Zabas, despite having to play through a serious groin injury, topped Wolves’ scores with 17, while Karlikanovas announced his arrival with three out of three maximums and 13 points in 17 minutes.

Coach Chuck Evans has a big job to lift his side’s confidence following a disappointing end when several of his experienced players seemed to go missing when a cool head was required.

High-flying Milton Keynes Lions are due at the university on Saturday in the BBL.