HEAD coach Paul James hailed an “outstanding” weekend for Worcester Wolves after backing up their victory over Leicester Riders with an overtime win at Cheshire Phoenix.

Having defeated British Basketball League leaders Leicester 93-91 on Friday, Wolves were expected to run out comfortable winners against a side sitting in 10th position on Sunday.

But Cheshire have been in fine form themselves as they moved 53-42 ahead at half-time and were leading 86-83 with only a couple of minutes remaining.

Wolves refused to panic, though, as they forced the match into overtime before clinching a 103-91 triumph to delight boss James.

“Sunday was every bit as good a victory as Friday was over Leicester,” James said.

“It was always going to be another tough battle against another team currently on a hot streak of form.

“We were poor defensively in the first half, but adjusted in the second.

“We were much more aggressive, got a series of stops, had a chance to win in regulation, and kept at it to get the win in overtime.

“This match will stand us in good stead for the rest of the season.

“We showed a lot of maturity and discipline to get back into the match and then made big shots when we needed to.”

Maurice Walker led the scoring with 22 points, with Trevor Setty and Jermel Kennedy tallying 16 points apiece. Alex Navajas’ 13 points was followed by 11 points for both Marek Klassen and Trey Zeigler, with Danny Huffor notching 10. “It was another example of multiple players contributing to the scoring and lots of character on display,” James added.

“We’ve had an outstanding weekend, but next weekend will be another huge one for us.”

Consecutive three-pointers from British forward Jamell Anderson had Worcester calling for their first time out, trailing 20-14.

Eight points from Kennedy was the only significant offensive input from a Wolves player in the initial quarter of the match.

Kennedy took the opening basket of the second period to pull matters back to 26-22 and was then thankfully joined in the scoring charts by Walker who toiled for five close-to-the-hoop successes before the break.

Worcester could do little to repel a series of direct drives to their basket that built their host’s double-digit lead.

But after the interval Cheshire’s effectiveness with this same tactic was contained by a wall of defenders.

At the same time, Zeigler stepped forward with nine valuable points. The home side’s frustration showed when Dijon Allen-Jordan attracted an unsportsmanlike foul after being harassed by Zeigler into travelling with the ball and reacting by throwing his arm into the Worcester man.

With the deficit dragged back to just 67-64 entering the last quarter, the sides would stay close over the remainder of regulation time.

Navajas was the next player to shine for Wolves. He notched his first points of the night a minute into the period before proceeding to tear to 13 in all.

It was 88-88 with 48 seconds to go when a Marek Klassen triple was waved off after the on-looking Walker was adjudged to have pushed into his defender.

Worcester were favourites to win when holding possession with six seconds remaining, but Cheshire point guard Mike DiNunno forced Klassen into a turnover.

However, DiNunno’s chance of glory was denied by Kennedy rising to swat his shot attempt high into the stands and send the game into added-time.

A teardrop basket from Klassen put Wolves in front as overtime commenced. Setty was on target from afar, then intercepted the ball on Cheshire’s next inbound before being bundled to the floor. After sinking two foul shots he slotted in a third bonus shot awarded after DiNunno was sent off the court for dissent.

Walker set the seal on the victory with a celebratory three-pointer.

Wolves will test their mettle on Friday night (7.30pm) when they host high-flying Newcastle Eagles before facing a trip to Glasgow Rocks on Sunday (5pm).