WORCESTER Wolves women head to Mansfield Giants tomorrow (4.30pm) after going down fighting in an away thriller at Ipswich. 

The East Anglian hosts protected their unbeaten record in National League Division Two North.

A strong Wolves team featured Estella Maloney on her competitive debut.

Shanice Turner capitalised on a loose pass, resulting in Grace Brownell earning Worcester's first trip to the free-throw line.

As both teams settled, the game was played at a furious tempo.

Ipswich went on to demonstrate why they have been doing well as Wolves trailed 28-16 after the first quarter.

Defensive intensity from Wolves disrupted Ipswich while their offence kept them in touching distance.

Turner and Jessie Rowlands both hit back-to-back triples alongside points from Wura Ijelu and Brownell.

Wolves closed the gap to nine points before Ipswich extended their lead to 15 going into the break.

With a tiring away team, the juggernaut Ipswich offence stepped up a gear and forced Wolves into several turnovers and unanswered points.

The hosts scored 36 in the third quarter and despite Wolves' defensive intensity pulled away to win 114-78.

Wolves shot 50 per cent of their three-point efforts as Turner top scored with 24 while Ijelua and Brownell chipped in with 16 and 14 respectively. 

Head coach Ryan Emery said: "We played a great game, shot the ball well and played at the tempo we wanted to.

"The only problem is that tempo suited Ipswich and when we got tired we started to make mistakes.

"But credit goes to Ipswich. They have a great team and are well coached.

"It was a good test for us and we took a lot away from this game to work on going forward."