Wolves Claw Victory from Hands of Heat
27 October 2011
The Guildford Heat lost yet another close game, going down 75-82 to the Worcester Wolves at Surrey Sports Park on Wednesday night. In front of a large and at times noisy crowd, the Heat showed what they can do with one excellent quarter of basketball, but then undid it all with a poor showing in the second half.
The Wolves used a 13-0 run in the first quarter to turn a 5-7 deficit into a commanding 18-7 lead with two and a half minutes to go. They led 22-12 going into the second, but the Heat turned things around with a strong performance, showing their fans what they can do when everything clicks. A 9-0 run trimmed the deficit from 12 to three, the Heat trailing 23-26. With five minutes to go in the second half, they were still down 26-30 before a 15-2 run put them in command, leading 41-32 with just three minutes to go.
The Heat still led 47-40 going into the second half, but failed to score for more than five minutes as the Wolves slowly pulled themselves back into the game. An 11-0 Wolves run to start the half put them ahead, but the Heat buried three threes in a row to go back ahead 58-55 before some sloppy play allowed the Wolves to close the quarter on an 8-2 run to take the lead for good, 63-60, going into the fourth.
Thereafter the Heat, who were battling foul trouble, could only get to within two points as the Wolves, who could never pull away, ran out winners, 82-75. The Heat were led by Mike Martin's 22 points and seven rebounds, including perfect 3-3 shooting from behind the arc. Brandon Shingles chipped in with a double-double of 10 points and 15 rebounds, including 8 offensive rebounds. For the Wolves, Tommy Freeman had 22 points, including 10-10 free-throws, while Gordon Richie added 20 and 12 rebounds.
The Heat now have to travel to Worcester on Saturday for the first round of the BBL Cup before hosting the Chesire Jets in the BBL Championship on Sunday at 3pm. Tickets can be purchased online via the Surrey Sports Park Box Office or by calling the Heat Box Office on 01483 689111.
(Report courtesy of Guildford Heat)
