WORCESTER Wolves fell just short 75-72 against title-challenging Leicester Riders in the British Basketball League.

Coach Paul James labelled their performance as "shocking" as hosts Wolves struggled to a 46-31 deficit at half-time.

But a packed University of Worcester Arena of more than 2,000 fans saw Worcester hit back as they narrowly failed to pull off the unlikeliest of comebacks.

However, the defeat puts Worcester in danger of losing their hold on third place in the BBL.

With only four games remaining in the regular season, an unbeaten run might now be needed in order to prevent Sheffield Sharks or Glasgow Rocks from snatching the higher-seeded position for the play-offs.

Only three minutes had elapsed and guards Jordan Aaron and Jay Couisnard had both turned the ball over to leave Wolves trailing 9-2.

By the close of the first quarter, the deficit had accelerated to 27-15 with motionless defenders inviting Leicester’s Anthony Rowe to grab a last-second bucket.

The hesitancy continued into the second period. Even when they stood poised to score beneath Riders’ hoop, it was as if Worcester’s attackers had found soap on the ball as they allowed it to slip harmlessly out of their grasp.

Meanwhile, Leicester continued to roll forward. Tyler Bernadini rattled in a double of three-pointers and, as the half expired, his side were again gifted an easy second-chance for Trevor Gruis to convert.

Spanish forward Javier Mugica was the catalyst for an entirely different second half.

A steal and an assist to Aaron were followed by a long-range success and suddenly matters stood at 46-36.

Two minutes after the break, the once 15-point gap had been slashed to 48-40 after Aaron floated the ball upwards for a spectacular Couisnard alley-oop.

By midway through the third quarter, triples for Aaron and Mugica had levelled the match at 50-50.

With six minutes left in the contest, Wolves finally achieved the lead at 58-57 when Mugica spun around his much-smaller defender.

A chess match now ensued as the teams exchanged successes.

With 19 seconds remaining, Worcester led 72-71.

As the crowd rained down howls in their attempts to unsettle him, Great Britain captain Andrew Sullivan calmly edged the visitors in front at 73-72 with two converted foul shots.

The outcome was sealed when Wolves then agonisingly fumbled possession from the sideline.

Couisnard and Mugica led the home scorers with 19 and 14 points respectively, while Bernadini top-scored for Leicester with 18.

Coach James said: “It was a shocking start to the game. We had far too many turnovers and there was no one out there who could take control for us.

“After the break I have to give the players credit for a fabulous comeback but too much damage had already been done by then. Our terrible start cost us.”

Wolves were only able to make six of 15 free-throw attempts and James added: “We missed foul shots throughout the match.

"We came all the way back into the game but unfortunately continued to miss far too many free throws.”

Wolves will travel to London Lions on Friday followed the next day by a trip to Bristol Flyers.

The final weekend of the regular season will commence on Friday, April 15, when Cheshire Phoenix visit the University of Worcester Arena with Wolves’ last pre-play-off fixture taking place at Glasgow Rocks on Sunday, April 17.