Grodno-93 and Vitalyur traded victories last week and stayed in the third and second spots respectively. Grodno-93 is now one win shy of the second-placed Vitalyur.
The first game between the teams was a roller-coaster action. Vitalyur hosted the clash but got to a slow start. Plagued by numerous turnovers they trailed by 3 points at the first intermission. The complexion of the game did not change in the second term as Grodno-93 managed to extend the margin to 7 points.
Grodno-93 and Vitalyur traded victories last week and stayed in the third and second spots respectively. Grodno-93 is now one win shy of the second-placed Vitalyur. The first game between the teams was a roller-coaster action. Vitalyur hosted the clash but got to a slow start. Plagued by numerous turnovers they trailed by 3 points at the first intermission. The complexion of the game did not change in the second term as Grodno-93 managed to extend the margin to 7 points. However Spartak Pogrebnev (197-F/G-82) and Maksim Shustau (184-G-86) stepped up for the hosts in the third frame. The hosts raised the tempo and raced ahead leading by 5 points at the end of the quarter. Spartak Pogrebnev fired several treys in the final term to silence the visitors and Vitalyur celebrated the 9th win in the season. Spartak Pogrebnev finished with game-high 28 points. Maksim Shustau and Alexandr Bibik (198-F/G-81) added 14 points apiece for the winning team. Siarhei Charykau (185-G-82, college: Yakima Valley CC) and Olchevsky responded with 10 points apiece in the loss Nevertheless Grodno-93 managed to bounce back next day. They piled up an 11-point advantage at halftime and looked ready to avenge the previous loss. However Vitalyur were not yet ready to fold. Maksim Shustau converted two free throws and then nailed a buzzer-beating trey to send the game into overtime. But the visitors knocked down 6 free throws in the extra period and pulled away with a tough 78:72 victory. Siarhei Charykau netted 21 points to pace Grodno-93. Anatoli Svirydau (193-G/F-82) and Edgars Cunda (196-G-84, agency: Court Side) added 11 points each in the win. Spartak Pogrebnev once again topscored for Vitalyur with 19 points.
Aleh Kojenets (208-C-77, college: NC-Wilmington) and his Ukrainian BC Donetsk upset BC Kyiv 87:68 in the capital of Ukraine. It was the first loss for the Superleague vice champions in the tournament. Haywood Owens secured 19 points for Donetsk. Anthony Tucker produced 18 points and 10 rebounds in the winning case. Artur Drozdov answered with 15 points for BC Kyiv as they stayed atop of the ladder despite the loss.
Aleh Kojenets (208-C-77, college: NC-Wilmington) and his Ukrainian BC Donetsk upset BC Kyiv 87:68 in the capital of Ukraine. It was the first loss for the Superleague vice champions in the tournament. Haywood Owens secured 19 points for Donetsk. Anthony Tucker produced 18 points and 10 rebounds in the winning case. Artur Drozdov answered with 15 points for BC Kyiv as they stayed atop of the ladder despite the loss. BC Kyiv however overcame BC Donetsk 75:63 to claim the win in the first leg of the third round of the Ukrainian Cup. The game was played in Donetsk and was quite anticipated by the fans. The Superleague newcomers BC Donetsk proved they are ready for the biggest challenges this season and were ready to oppose one of the leagues best squads. The first frame of the encounter once again showed Donetsk are dangerous opponents. They outgunned the visitors and led 19:18. But full-court press allowed BC Kyiv to gradually took over in this one. They held Donetsk to 9 points in the second quarter and piled up a 36:28 lead at the interval. Donetsk cut the deficit to 3 points before the final term but BC Kyiv managed to pull away. James Penn and Alex Scales opened the fourth quarter with 8 straight points and BC Kyiv cruised to the victory at the end. James Penn nailed 16 points to pace BC Kyiv. Brent Wright had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the winning team. Anthony Tucker responded with 17 points for Donetsk. Haywood Owens tallied 16 points and 10 rebounds in defeat and Aleh Kojenets had 12 points. In Russia Spartak SP improved to a positive 3-2 record beating Lok.Rostov 81:66 at home. Kurbanov Nikita paced all the winners with 22 points and Yegor Meshcharakou (205-F-76, agency: Octagon, college: George Washington) added 15. Morgunov Nikita scored 15 points in the losing effort. Ural Great lost to Unics 75:88 on November 18th. Zamanskiy Igor top-scored for the winners with 25 points and Vladzimir Veremeenko (208-F-84) posted 16. Surovtsev Aleksei and Likholitov Fedor notched 16 points apiece for the hosts.
Vitalyur, OZAA and Minsk-2006 improved to 4-0 record from the start as they achieved the latest victories in the League. Vitalyur thrashed BNTU twice 116:43 and 92:28. The defending champions did not have any difficulties reaching 4-0 record.
Minsk-2006 beat Grodno-93 two times away from home. At first the team from the capital won 83:56 and then 78:68. OZAA had two road victories over Lokomotiv 61:75 and 89:104, while Sozh Gomel beat Temp-OSHVSM twice at home, 108:92 and 96:92.
Vitalyur, OZAA and Minsk-2006 improved to 4-0 record from the start as they achieved the latest victories in the League. Vitalyur thrashed BNTU twice 116:43 and 92:28. The defending champions did not have any difficulties reaching 4-0 record. Minsk-2006 beat Grodno-93 two times away from home. At first the team from the capital won 83:56 and then 78:68. OZAA had two road victories over Lokomotiv 61:75 and 89:104, while Sozh Gomel beat Temp-OSHVSM twice at home, 108:92 and 96:92. Meanwhile Vladzimir Veremeenko (208-F-84) netted 6 points and made 4 assists for his Russian Unics. Khimky however remained undefeated in the Superleague after they dealt with Unics 75:69 in Kazan. Both teams entered the game with no losses but the visitors proved just stronger at the end. Kelly McCart
