A FINE team display helped Worcester Wolves women win 57-51 at an experienced Mansfield Giants outfit.

Wura Ijelu, Grace Brownell and Estella Maloney combined for 35 of their points in National League Division Two North.

The game went back and forth in the first quarter as Wolves applied defensive pressure but foul trouble and turnovers hampered progress.

They took a four-point lead into the break and then picked up the all-round pace to go 10 ahead with scores by Ijela and the Pulokatie sisters.

But the young team's missed opportunities allowed Giants to claw back with close scores and outside shooting.

Although Mansfield won the quarter, Wolves held a slender two-point advantage at half-time.

The second period was much of the same as Wolves forced turnovers but could not establish a solid lead.

Maloney connected on one of her four three-point shots before Ijelu and Brownell hit unanswered jump shots to cap a 7-0 run.

But Giants capitalised on sloppy play and missed chances to get within two points again going into the fourth quarter.

Wolves stepped up their defensive intensity to hold the hosts to 15 points in the final quarter while scoring 19 of their own.

Layla Hall buried a triple while Ijelu scored the final six points for Wolves despite a late three from their former player Kirsty Russell.

Worcester head coach Ryan Emery said: "Being able to win when you play badly is a great quality to have and we were able to stay mentally strong and get this victory.

"But I am extremely pleased with how we rebounded the basketball as well as our defensive intensity."