The Winston-Salem Wolves defeated the Petersburg Cavaliers in a showdown for both the Northern Conference regular season title and a #1 conference playoff seeding into the 2023 ECBL playoffs.

Heading into the game, the Petersburg Cavaliers were riding a five-game win streak and held an advantage with a 9-2 record versus the Wolves 8-3 record. Both teams had already clinched a bye in the first round of the playoffs, but if the Wolves could win the head-to-head matchup, both teams would finish with identical records and the Wolves would hold the tiebreaker, thus clinching the regular season title.

Winston-Salem jumped to an early 12 point lead behind the hot shooting of Mike Chambers, Mike Hughes, Niquan Cousins and Calique Jones; however, defensive pressure and turnovers allowed Petersburg to mount a comeback and tie the game at the end of the first quarter 26-26.

Petersburg was able to continue their momentum into the second quarter – as both teams battled for the lead, Petersburg held the advantage at the half 54-49.

The third quarter saw the teams trade the lead multiple times, with Winston moving back in front just before the end of the third, 83-81, on a Mike Chambers driving layup in traffic.

The fourth quarter was a high-octane push between both teams to gain the advantage, but near the four minute mark, Winston-Salem forced multiple turnovers and capitalized with either three pointers or driving layups on the break. As the two-minute mark approached, Winston held a sizable advantage, but two quick threes in the final minute – as well as some sloppy plays by the Wolves which led to turnovers – cut the lead and gave Petersburg a chance to close the gap.

The Wolves we able to secure two critical defensive rebounds in the last 30 seconds to then hold the ball and secure the win.

This win gives the Wolves their second Northern Conference regular season title – the previous coming in their 2019 inaugural season – and gives the Wolves the #1 seed for the Northern Conference playoffs, which start June 10 in Fayetteville, NC. The Wolves have also now made the playoffs in three of their four active seasons.