Basketball
Prezzie-Blue returns but Wolves lose out

Buy photos » Forward Sherrad Prezzie-Blue made his first appearance of the season for Wolves but his team suffered defeat against the Plymouth Raiders. Picture by Keith Hunt.

NOT EVEN the much anticipated return of star player Sherrad Prezzie-Blue could stop Worcester Wolves suffering their fourth consecutive away league defeat against the Plymouth Raiders.

The forward made a long-awaited return to the Worcester line-up, his first of the season, on Sunday after months of Visa problems and delays kept him stranded in America.

But Wolves' away day blues in the BBL Championship continued on the south coast as they fell to a 87-65 loss after suffering a collapse in the final quarter.

Wolves made a strong start as Arturas Masiulis and Stan Ocitti fired them into a healthy 12-0 lead. Plymouth responded well after bringing seven foot tall Liam Potter on which led to the home side reducing their deficit to just four points.

Just before the second quarter head coach Paul James decided to put Prezzie-Blue back on the court despite having only just arrived back in the UK. He was soon into the thick of the action but missed two free throws after he was fouled by Plymouth's Michael Ojo.

Wolves continued to have the better of their opponents in the second period as Masiulis, Ocitti and the skills of Prezzie-Blue helped the visitors to a 27-16 lead. But Plymouth again fought back and reduced Worcester's lead to just three points at half time trailing 36-33.

Three minutes into the second half saw the scores level before the Raiders took the lead for the first time following a three-pointer from Javarris Barnett. A nip and tuck contest ensued with the match well poised going into the last period with Plymouth leading by just a single point at 56-55.

Ojo got the home side off to a flying start in the all critical final quarter and team mate Colin O'Reilly increased the Raiders' lead. James tried to calm matters with a timeout but could do nothing after the restart as Plymouth drove home their advantage and took 13 of the next 20 points scored.

Trailing 74-62 there was still a glimmer of hope for Wolves but that was ended by another scoring run from the Raiders as they strolled to what was in the end a comfortable win.

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