WORCESTER Wolves fell to a narrow 86-79 defeat to Derbyshire Arrows.

They fell to the top three side at the University of Worcester Arena in the National Basketball League Division Two.

The Wolves had a promising start, leading 45-37 at half-time.

However Arrows turned the game around with impressive long-distance scoring.

Wolves began confidently with Jacob Dearman and Fin Rennie scoring three-pointers.

Wilfrid Santhe assisted James Davis, and Rennie was also set up for a basket.

More accurate shooting from Dearman and Santhe saw Wolves finish the first quarter 27-23 ahead.

Emmanuel Yeboah, returning from injury, extended the lead with a solo drive.

Yeboah then assisted Dume Okibe twice, and Dearman set up Dejaun Antonio, establishing a 37-26 lead.

However, after half-time, Wolves struggled to maintain their scoring momentum, while the Arrows found their form.

Lithuanian player Titas Berzinis led the Arrows' comeback with consecutive triples and a flurry of assists, blocks, and rebounds.

Wolves were blocked out at the start of the second half, taking six minutes to find the net, with Arrows now leading 53-49.

Yeboah tied the game at 59-59 at the start of the final period, but the Arrows scored six three-pointers in the last quarter.

Wolves missed the opportunity to keep the game close by missing several free throws.

Santhe led the Wolves' scoring with 22 points, while Antonio scored 18 points and made 12 rebounds.

Wolves' coach Dean Blake said: "The reality is that, for various reasons, we haven’t played up to our potential this season.

"Derbyshire are a top-three team running with the same players every week and are really connected.

"In the first half, not all of those guys played well, but in the second half, they stepped up.

"We haven’t benefited from that same sort of connectiveness and it tells by this time of the year."

Before the game, a minute's silence was held to honour four University of Essex students who died in a road accident last weekend.

Blake expressed his condolences, saying: "What happened last week puts everything that we do into perspective.

"We’re really fortunate that we get all the opportunities to go across the country to play basketball and do things we love.

"Massive condolences to everyone at Essex and other clubs connected and related to those who tragically lost their lives."

Wolves, now in eighth place, will next face Manchester Magic at home on Saturday (February 22) at 7.30pm.