DURHAM WILDCATS head coach Dave Elderkin was in high spirits despite a 98-91 defeat to Worcester Wolves on Sunday.

But he thought Wildcats could have claimed a win at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.

“It was a good performance, but we need to change those good performances into wins, “ he said.

“We went close with Surrey and Worcester who are both top four sides and we could have won both games.

“A coach would not normally say this, but when your team are shooting well from behind the arc you would like your team to shoot more threes and I believe our team shot the three ball well today.”

It was a high scoring start with both teams finding their range early on as the lead traded hands on many occasions.

The Wildcats’ positive start continued as they created a six-point gap midway through the quarter at 40- 34.

A great defensive display from Durham bolstered their lead up to ten points with a minute remaining with the score showing 46-36. The lead was cut short to 48-41 on the buzzer.

The Wolves found themselves trying to play catch up from behind the arc but could not execute as Durham kept Worcester at arms-length with a fourpoint deficit for a large quantity of the third and they managed to hold the lead going into the final stanza with a three-point lead at 66-63.

Worcester claimed the lead through an Ocitti threepointer creating a two-point lead early in the fourth at 6668 and the Wolves then took charge.

Both sides were exchanging threes in the closing minutes, with the visitors taking the win as the score ended on the buzzer 91-98