BBL Championship
Q1 21-24
Q2 42-41
Q3 59-58
Q4 84-83

Everton Tigers – Larkai 20, Gumbs 16, Babalola 13  
Worcester Wolves – Disy 20, Zabas 19, Uzkuraitis 15

The Everton Tigers managed through to scrape through tonight on their home court at the Greenbank Sports Academy, as they saw off the Worcester Wolves 84-83. The Wolves had the better start of the two sides, albeit marginally, as a three pointer from Chey Christie put them 3-0 up straight away, but the Tigers first score then came from Olu Babalola to make it 2-3. The Wolves maintained a cushion lead until Dzaflo Larkai scored off a Kevin Bell assist to tie the scores at 10 a piece. The visitors then dominated proceedings to close out the quarter as the led by three points at the break 24-21.

The second period was just as tight, as the Tiers got to within one point at 27-28, thanks to a Larkai score in the fourth minute. The game was then nip and tuck, with Worcester staying in front, until Larkai scored again to take his side ahead for the first time in the game at 33-32. The scoreboard then ticked over, with the scores being tied with 1:17 to go at 37 each, as the teams could barely be separated New Everton signing Steven Rush then hit a triple to put his side up 42-41 at the half.

The third quarter started with Simon Stewart making a lay up for the visitors, as they went 43-42 up within the first minute. An 18-6 run by the Wolves then saw them establish a 6 point lead at 56-50, but the Tigers refused to give up as they outscored their opponents 9-2 in the final three minutes to grasp the 59-58 victory. They were led by Larkai, who had a great game inside with 20 points and 10 rebounds, Jerome Gumbs got 16 points and 7 boards, and Olu Babalola matching him for rebounding, as well as adding 13 points to his tally. The Wolves, in a brave bid to get their first BBL Championship win, were led in scoring by Harry Disy, who played hard for his 20 points, and the two Lithuanian guards, Evaldas Zabas and Vidmantas Uzkuraitis, who notched 19 and 15 points respectively.
Tigers Assistant Coach Henry Mooney commented on the game: 'I thought we played well in spells tonight, but we didn't defend or rebound well enough. They (the Wolves) were very aggressive in this area, and this showed by the fact that they out-rebounded us 51-45. We scraped a win, and any win is better than no win at all. We are currently in a transition period, with Steven Rush having only arrived this morning. A full week of practise will help us integrate him into the team, and I'm sure that Tony (Garbelotto, Head Coach), will address the rebounding and defensive issues in the week.'