HEAD coach Paul James hailed an "outstanding" Worcester Wolves display after they gained swift revenge over Sheffield Sharks with a 91-80 victory in South Yorkshire.

Wolves slumped to a 96-92 home defeat to Sheffield last Friday but after establishing an early lead they kept their noses in front at the end of every quarter to come out on top on Wednesday night.

Their clever clock-management in the final stages of the British Basketball League clash also paid off as Worcester prevented Sharks from building the momentum needed for a comeback.

“We looked closely at the tape from Friday and knew that if we just cleaned up a couple of minutes of carelessness we could turn things around," James said.

“On Wednesday we were composed, fought hard and got the result.

“For the last seven minutes or so we ran the clock down on each offence which meant Sheffield found it difficult to come back at us with a run.

“It was an outstanding display.”

George Beamon and Michael Ojo led the scoring with 19 points apiece, supported by 17 from Alex Navajas.

There was also an impressive debut from George Marshall who notched 16 points.

“George handled himself really well, contributing both on offence and defence,” James added.

“I’m delighted for him.”

Navajas set a captain’s example from the outset. After a hard drive to begin the scoring he set his feet to sink a three-pointer.

He then intercepted a Sheffield attack to lay on a triple for Ojo before grabbing another steal, prompting the hosts to desperately call for a time-out having conceded 10 points in under two minutes.

Ojo was similarly on fire as he twice pulled up outside the key for successive threes, took a pass from new point guard Marshall for a score from the left corner and converted again from distance to finalise a stunning 14 first-quarter points.

Although Worcester led 25-18 entering the second period, Sharks rallied to tie matters at 34-34 five minutes before half-time.

Marshall slotted in two free throws to open his Wolves account and secured a long two for his debut field goal. Dallin Bachynski stepped back to nail a triple and aid a 46-42 interval advantage.

With Marshall growing increasingly comfortable alongside his new teammates and Trayvon Palmer and George Beamon repeatedly weaving their way to the hoop, a tidy 68-61 lead was taken into the final quarter.

After a further couple of minutes Sheffield were forced to request another break as they looked up at a 75-63 deficit.

But there would be no way back.

The 24-second shot-clock was utilised to full effect, with baskets demoralisingly made just before it expired.

Wolves’ next two British Basketball League fixtures will both be against Newcastle Eagles. Next Tuesday (7.30pm), they make the trip to the North East, before returning to the University of Worcester Arena on Friday, April 13 for the second encounter.