CSKA are the first VTB United League champions - Jan 22, 2010 (by Eurobasket News)
3rd place
Zalgiris - Khimky 78-72
Zalgiris clinched the third spot in the VTB United League inaugural season. The Kaunas team held off Khimky in the consolation final tonight. Marcus Brown (193-G-74, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: Murray St.), Mantas Kalnietis and Dainius Salenga ensured a perfect start for the Lithuanian team. Zalgiris grabbed a 7:0 lead and maintained it well throughout the opening frame [read more]
3rd place
Zalgiris - Khimky 78-72 Zalgiris clinched the third spot in the VTB United League inaugural season. The Kaunas team held off Khimky in the consolation final tonight. Marcus Brown (193-G-74, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: Murray St.), Mantas Kalnietis and Dainius Salenga ensured a perfect start for the Lithuanian team. Zalgiris grabbed a 7:0 lead and maintained it well throughout the opening frame. Marcus Brown and Martynas Pocius (196-G-86, agency: Interperformances, college: Duke) capped the first quarter with five points in a row as Zalgiris enjoyed a 24:12 lead into the second quarter. Aleksandar Capin fired quick five points at the start of the second frame as Zalgiris secured a 15-point advantage. However Khimky reacted with 16:2 run to cut the deficit to a single point. Vitaly Fridzon soon drew things level before Dainius Salenga fired from downtown to give Zalgiris a 38:35 advantage at halftime. Raul Lopez and Mozgov helped Khimky surge in front 44:38 in the third term. But Zalgiris managed to eke out a 54:53 advantage with one quarter to go. Salenga and Martynas Pocius boosted the margin at 7-point mark with just over three minutes remaining. Martynas Pocius then followed with a three-pointer as the gap grew to 10 points. Keith Langford (193-G/F-83, college: Kansas) and Vitaly Fridzon cut the margin at 5 points but it was as close as Khimky could get. Zalgiris stayed calm and celebrated the victory at the end. Martynas Pocius finished with 26 points to lead Zalgiris. Marcus Brown added 15 points for the winning team. Keith Langford answered with 20 points for Khimky. Vitaly Fridzon tossed in 13 points in the loss.
FINAL
CSKA - Unics 66-55 CSKA won the inaugural VTB United League title. They held off Unics in the championship game in Kaunas today. The teams opened the game trading baskets. Pops Mensah-Bonsu and J.R. Holden (185-G-76, college: Bucknell) finally allowed CSKA to clear off as they ensured a 15:10 lead. Maciej Lampe (210-C-85) had the last word in the opening frame as he put Unics behind by three points 14:17. J.R. Holden and Sasha Kaun (211-C-85) helped CSKA to clear off again in the second period. CSKA built a 30:23 lead. Siskauskas scored 4 points in an 8:0 run from the Moscow team as they enjoyed a 39:23 advantage late in the half. Veremeenko capped the second frame with a jumper to put Unics behind by 14 points 25:39. Trajan Langdon, Siskauskas and Sasha Kaun began the second half from where they left in the first. Trajan Langdon accounted for quick 9 points as CSKA boosted the lead at 21-point mark. Maciej Lampe stopped the bleeding and Unics get a bit closer. They headed into the fourth frame down by 13 points. Maciej Lampe, Kroncar and Samoylenko opened the final stanza with six points in a row to spark the intrigue. Lyday and Maciej Lampe dragged Unics within 4 points with just over 4 minutes remaining. However CSKA came up with a tremendous defensive effort in the reminder of the contest keeping Unics scoreless and securing a confident win at the end. J.R. Holden and Sasha Kaun knocked down 16 points each to lead CSKA. Trajan Langdon added 9 points in the winning effort. Maciej Lampe answered with 21 points and 6 boards for Unics. Marko Popovic and Kresimir Loncar accounted for 10 points apiece in the loss. J.R. Holden was named the MVP of the Final Four. Marko Popovic, Vitaly Fridzon, Martynas Pocius, Maciej Lampe and Sasha Kaun made up the Final Four Top Team.
CSKA - Khimky 71-66
CSKA became the first finalist of the VTB-League. They held off rivals Khimky in the first semifinal game in Kaunas today. Zoran Planinic (199-G-82) knocked down 16 points to pace balanced offensive effort from CSKA. The Russian champions earned a 14:5 lead early in the encounter. Khimky went on a rescue mission. They exploded with an 18:3 run bridging the first and second frames. Khimky surged ahead but CSKA stopped the bleeding and restored the advantage [read more]
CSKA - Khimky 71-66 CSKA became the first finalist of the VTB-League. They held off rivals Khimky in the first semifinal game in Kaunas today. Zoran Planinic (199-G-82) knocked down 16 points to pace balanced offensive effort from CSKA. The Russian champions earned a 14:5 lead early in the encounter. Khimky went on a rescue mission. They exploded with an 18:3 run bridging the first and second frames. Khimky surged ahead but CSKA stopped the bleeding and restored the advantage. Khimky did not say die and finished the half on a positive note. They grabbed a 33:29 lead at the interval. Khimky stretched the margin at 11-point mark early in the third quarter. However Ponkrashov fired twice from beyond the arc to reignite CSKA. They denied the deficit and drew things level at 53 heading into the fourth quarter. CSKA continued to roll and ensured a 7-point lead in the final stanza. Khimky could not get closer than 3 points throughout the rest of the game. Ramunas Siskauskas (197-G-78) scored 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds for CSKA. J.R. Holden contributed 11 points in the victory. Vitaly Fridzon responded with 16 points for Khimky. Keith Langford had 14 points in the losing effort.
Unics - Zalgiris 75-65 Unics made it to the VTB United League championship game. The Russian outfit outgunned Zalgiris in Kaunas tonight. The Lithuanian team will play against Khimky in the consolation final tomorrow. Zalgiris got to the better start taking a 7:2 lead. Unics responded with 13:0 run to surge ahead. Unics ran past shocked hosts to ensure a 20:17 lead at the first break. However Mirza Begic opened the second quarter with four points in a row to put Zalgiris back in charge. The teams traded baskets and the lead changed hands several times in the second stanza. Kresimir Loncar (210-F-83) knocked down a late basket to put Unics up by one 36:35 at the interval. Unics stepped up in the third stanza. Kresimir Loncar amd Marko Popovic (185-G-82, college: S.Idaho JC) helped the visitors took a 53:40 lead. Dainius Salenga answered for Zalgiris but Unics went into the final break ahead by 11 points 55:44. Capin and Marcus Brown dragged Zalgiris within 7 points early in the fourth frame but Unics reacted quickly. The Russian powerhouse restored a 13-point buffer and did not give a single chance for Zalgiris in the reminder of the contest. Kresimir Loncar top-scored for the winners with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Marko Popovic followed him with 12 points and 7 caroms as Unics will take on CSKA on January 22nd. Tadas Klimavicius responded with 17 points and 7 rebounds in defeat, while Dainius Salenga produced 15. Mirza Begic and Pocus ended up with 10 points in the losing effort.
Group A
BC Donetsk - VEF Riga 96-80
BC Donetsk prevailed against VEF Riga in the final game for both teams. Haywood Owens (204-F-79, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Texas) stepped up with 23 points and 9 rebounds to lead the hosts. Milutin Aleksic added 12 points, 6 boards and 3 assists in the victory. Arnas Labuckas responded with 21 points and 10 rebounds for VEF Riga.
Khimky - Unics 86-74
Keith Langford (193-G/F-83, college: Kansas) unloaded 37 points to lead Khimky past Unics [read more]
Group A
BC Donetsk - VEF Riga 96-80 BC Donetsk prevailed against VEF Riga in the final game for both teams. Haywood Owens (204-F-79, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Texas) stepped up with 23 points and 9 rebounds to lead the hosts. Milutin Aleksic added 12 points, 6 boards and 3 assists in the victory. Arnas Labuckas responded with 21 points and 10 rebounds for VEF Riga.
Khimky - Unics 86-74 Keith Langford (193-G/F-83, college: Kansas) unloaded 37 points to lead Khimky past Unics. Robertas Javtokas added 10 points, 6 boards and 3 assists in the winning effort. Kresimir Loncar answered with 19 points and 7 caroms for Unics. Terrell Lyday finished with 18 points in defeat.
Group B
Azovmash - Zalgiris 75-84 Martynas Pocius (196-G-86, agency: Interperformances, college: Duke) scored 28 points to lead Zalgiris past Azovmash in Mariupol. Arturas Milaknis scored 15 points for the Lithuanian team. Hasan Rizvic responded with 20 points for Azovmash in defeat.
CSKA - Kalev/Cramo 87-54 CSKA clinched the top spot in Group B as they fired past Kalev/Cramo in Moscow. Sasha Kaun (211-C-85) tallied 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Russian powerhouse. Trajan Langdon added 15 points for the winners. Josh-Emmanuel Akognon responded with 10 points in defeat.
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