Sunday, October 30, 2005

WORCESTER Wolves produced their best performance in three years to storm into the National Cup semi-finals with an 87-71 victory at Manchester Magic.

Wolves, also in the last four of the National Trophy and top of England Basketball League Division One, were in superb form, scoring a remarkable 65 per cent of open play shots.

Valdas Urbonavicius scored 27 points, including five three-pointers, while Andy Harper sunk 16 and Ty Shaw and Colin Chiverton scored 12 each as well as 13 rebounds apiece.

According to director of basketball Mick Donovan, head coach Josh Cooprider has not seen a better display in his time with the club.

Donovan said: "Josh said it's the most impressive Wolves performance in the three years he's been here.

"The manager of Manchester said it was like men against boys. It was the full package. Everything we've wor-ked on came off."

Wolves started well, with Shaw and Chiverton dominating the rebounds as the visitors opened up a 27-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Manchester closed to within eight points at half-time but that was the nearest they got as Wolves ripped them apart to lead 74-52 going into the final quarter, eventually winning by 16 points.