Worcester (40) 90

Crusaders (28) 58

The Crusaders played away at Worcester to take on current league leaders and this season's undefeated Worcester Wolves and what started as a great game within the first quarter turned out to be a one sided affair with the Wolves hot shooting star Rick Solvason doing most of the damage along the way.

Despite being without David Argo, who has now confirmed that he will not be returning to England, having aggravated his previous knee injury during his Christmas break, Crusaders have won three games in confident and convincing style.

The Crusaders spent the first quarter trading basket for basket as the Wolves tried to get off to a good start in front of their full house.

Alaster Spiers, Crusaders centre dominated inside the key from the outset, shooting well and rebounding at both ends of the court. The first quarter was tight and close and ended 20-20 with all the makings of a splendidly exciting match.

The disasterous second quarter set the tone for the rest of the game, as Crusaders shots went cold, rimming around the basket and then out again, and failing to make their mark.

The Wolves went on a 20-8 run against their visitors and the Crusaders were left trailing behind, 28-40 at the half.

Crusaders were able to regroup a little after the half time interval, just about maintaining their hold on the game, although making little headway in cutting the deficit that faced them.

Although Derrick Pope, Dip Donaldson and Spiers continued to score baskets with some success, the Crusaders just couldn’t make up the difference.

The fourth quarter was another dark one for the visiting Crusaders, as once again their baskets failed to fall, while the Worcester side could smell victory, and were scoring at will. Crusaders defence as well as offence seemed to desert them in this crucial match against the league leaders.

The Wolves outscored them 29-11 in the quarter, causing Crusaders to suffer one of their heaviest defeats this season. The game ended 90-58 to the home side.

Crusaders knew that they had a tall order to fill on Saturday night at University College Worcester. Ex-Crusaders Solvason was deadly from the three point line, making 6 three pointers, and Wolves who have been impressive all season, continue to look hot favourites to take the league title at the end of the season.

Crusaders scorers:

Robertson 2, Sharland 7, Graves 8, Donaldson 11, Pope 11, Spiers 19

Wolves scorers:

Jones 10, Jarrett 12, Chatwin 12, Shaw 13, Cooprider 14, Solvason 23, team 6