Round 33 (Regular Season): #1 Kortrijk is defeated by Brussels

The teams have now bigger motivation at this stage of Regular Season. Every game can be crucial and decide about teams' position at the end of Regular Season. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Kortrijk (24-7) on the court of fifth ranked Circus Brussels on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by Circus Brussels 84-77. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Kortrijk. Strangely Kortrijk outrebounded Brussels 44-26 including a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. American guard Jalen Finch (185-1999, college: Georgia South) stepped up and scored 15 points and 4 assists for the winners and point guard Alexandre Libert (188-1990) chipped in 9 points and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was American Eric Reed Jr (192-2000, college: MSU) with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Kortrijk's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Brussels maintains fifth place with 20-11 record. Kortrijk at the other side still keeps top position with seven games lost. Brussels are looking forward to face league's second-placed Oostende on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kortrijk will play against Charleroi and is hoping to win this game.
One of the most interesting games of round 33 was a derby match between two teams from Holland. Fifteenth ranked Den Helder won against host Groningen (9-21) 78-73. American point guard TreVion Crews (183-1996, college: Bethel, IN) nailed 31 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and Tobi Ewuosho accounted for 19 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Czech-Canadian center James Karnik (206-1998, college: Boston Coll., agency: Players Group) came up with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds for Groningen in the defeat. Den Helder maintains fifteenth place with 10-21 record. Groningen at the other side keeps the sixteenth position with 21 games lost. Den Helder will play against Feyenoord (#17) in Rotterdam in the next round. Groningen will play on the road against ZZ Leiden and hopes to get back on the winning track.
One of the most interesting games of round 33 was a derby match between two teams from Belgium. Eleventh ranked Leuven Bears edged host Spirou Charleroi (17-15) 72-69. The best player for the winners was Wen Boss Mukubu who scored 21 points and 5 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Xander Pintelon who recorded a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. Spirou Charleroi's coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Leuven Bears have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Den Bosch and Union Mons. Loser Spirou Charleroi dropped to the eleventh position with 15 games lost. Leuven will meet at home higher ranked Antwerp (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Charleroi will play against the league's leader Kortrijk (#1) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 33: ZZ Leiden destroyed Feyenoord on the opponent's court 94-74. Leeuwarden managed to outperform Zwolle in a home game 100-89. BAL Weert recorded a loss to Antwerp on the road 88-73. Den Bosch was defeated by QSTA Utd. on its own court 78-79. Oostende was beaten by Mechelen in a road game 74-64. Limburg won against Aalst at home 80-66. Groningen outscored BAL Weert on the opponent's court 92-71.



Groningen - Den Helder 73-78

One of the most interesting games of round 33 was a derby match between two teams from Holland. Fifteenth ranked Den Helder won against host Groningen (9-21) 78-73. American point guard TreVion Crews (183-1996, college: Bethel, IN) nailed 31 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and American-Nigerian guard Tobi Ewuosho (196-1997, college: Alabama St.) accounted for 19 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Czech-Canadian center James Karnik (206-1998, college: Boston Coll., agency: Players Group) came up with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds and guard Tim Hoeve (196-1998) added 14 points and 6 assists respectively for Groningen in the defeat. Five Groningen players scored in double figures. Den Helder maintains fifteenth place with 10-21 record. Groningen at the other side keeps the sixteenth position with 21 games lost. Den Helder will play against Feyenoord (#17) in Rotterdam in the next round. Groningen will play on the road against ZZ Leiden and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Groningen: T.Hoeve 14+2reb+6ast, T.Dunn-Martin 12+3reb+6ast, J.Karnik 12+12reb+1ast, D.Gabrovsek 12+8reb, F.Brankovic 12+5reb+3ast, S.Van Oostrum 5+1ast
Den Helder: T.Crews 31+7reb+4ast, T.Ewuosho 19+10reb+5ast, J.Muila 10+13reb+1ast, M.Kreps 9+8reb+1ast, N.Thran 6+2reb, J.Fritz 3+1reb+1ast

Charleroi - Leuven 69-72

One of the most interesting games of round 33 was a derby match between two teams from Belgium. Eleventh ranked Leuven Bears edged host Spirou Charleroi (17-15) 72-69. Leuven made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was DR Congolese-Belgian Wen Boss Mukubu (198-1983, college: UAB) who scored 21 points and 5 rebounds. American guard Noah Freidel (193-2000, college: JMU) chipped in 9 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Xander Pintelon (208-2003) who recorded a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds and Dutch forward Willem Brandwijk (204-1995, college: IUP) added 11 points and 9 rebounds respectively. Spirou Charleroi's coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Leuven Bears have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Den Bosch and Union Mons. Loser Spirou Charleroi dropped to the eleventh position with 15 games lost. Leuven will meet at home higher ranked Antwerp (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Charleroi will play against the league's leader Kortrijk (#1) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Charleroi: X.Pintelon 14+11reb, W.Brandwijk 11+9reb+2ast, S.Hollanders 10+3reb+2ast, A.Izaw-Bolavie 9+5reb, C.Adzeh 9+5reb+1ast, Q.Smout 8+3reb+7ast
Leuven: W.Boss Mukubu 21+5reb+1ast, M.Palinckx 12+7reb, S.Schauvlieger 9+2reb+3ast, N.Freidel 9+9reb+3ast, R.Rogiers 7+8reb, R.Bucumi 5+4reb+1ast

Feyenoord - ZZ Leiden 74-94

Very expected game in Rotterdam where 17th ranked Feyenoord (8-23) was crushed by eleventh ranked ZZ Leiden (17-13) 94-74 on Friday. ZZ Leiden dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Feyenoord's 34. ZZ Leiden forced 23 Feyenoord turnovers and outrebounded them 32-21 including 20 on the defensive glass. It was a great shooting night for ZZ Leiden especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Feyenoord's players. The best player for the winners was American forward Patrick Cartier (203, college: Colorado St.) who scored 32 points and 6 rebounds (perfect behind the arc making all six shots !!!). His fellow American import guard Jordan Davis (190-1998, college: Jacksonville) chipped in 18 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Noah Cameron (190-1997, college: Wesley) who recorded 20 points and 8 assists and Lithuanian point guard Karolis Babusis (190-2000) added 22 points (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. ZZ Leiden have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending Dutch champion moved-up to seventh place. Loser Feyenoord keeps the seventeenth position with 23 games lost. ZZ Leiden will meet at home Groningen (#16) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Feyenoord will play against Den Helder and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Feyenoord: K.Babusis 22+2reb, B.Cameron 20+3reb+8ast, C.Maidoh 13+2reb+1ast, C.Vijber 7+3reb+4ast, M.Bouwer 4+4reb+1ast, Y.Granvorka 4+4reb+2ast
ZZ Leiden: P.Cartier 32+6reb+3ast, J.Davis 18+3reb+3ast, S.Van Den Elzen 11+4reb+7ast, R.Schaftenaar 8+6reb+3ast, D.Maconda 7+2reb+5ast, A.Cook 6+2reb+4ast

Leeuwarden - Zwolle 100-89

Rather predictable result when twelfth ranked Leeuwarden (15-16) defeated at home 14th ranked Zwolle (12-18) 100-89 on Friday. Leeuwarden shot 62.7 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. Leeuwarden looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was point guard Joel Murray (183-1999, college: LBSU, agency: Slash Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 assists. Guard Robin Duncan (196-1998, college: Vermont) chipped in 16 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Leeuwarden's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Tydus Verhoeven (206-1998, college: Northwestern) who recorded 19 points and 7 rebounds and guard Quincy Anderson (193-1999, college: Murray St.) added 18 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Five Leeuwarden and four Zwolle players scored in double figures. Leeuwarden maintains twelfth place with 15-16 record. Loser Zwolle keeps the fourteenth position with 18 games lost. Leeuwarden will meet higher ranked Limburg (#4) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Zwolle will play against Antwerp (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Zwolle: T.Verhoeven 19+7reb+1ast, Q.Anderson 18+7reb+2ast, C.Turner 14+3reb, K.Edwards 14+9reb+1ast, B.Van Der Vuurst 11+2reb+3ast, L.Williams 7+1reb+9ast
Leeuwarden: J.Murray 22+3reb+10ast, D.Whitfield 18+1reb+2ast, R.Duncan 16+8reb+6ast, S.Doorson 12+9reb+3ast, D.Johansson 12+2reb+2ast, M.Frierson 11+2reb+2ast

Antwerp - BAL Weert 88-73

Not a big story in a game when 18th ranked Dutch BAL Weert (6-25) was defeated on the road by sixth ranked Belgian Antwerp Giants (19-12) 88-73 on Friday. Antwerp made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 BAL Weert turnovers. Antwerp looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Clarence Daniels (198-2000, college: UNH) who scored 13 points and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import swingman Kyle Foster (197-1998, college: Howard) chipped in 17 points. Four Antwerp Giants players scored in double figures. Antwerp Giants' coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was French center Lionel Colson (206-2002) who recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points and 15 rebounds and French Hugo Minnig (197-2002) added 19 points respectively. Antwerp maintains sixth place with 19-12 record. Loser BAL Weert keeps the eighteenth position with 25 games lost. Antwerp will meet at home Zwolle (#14) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. BAL Weert will play against Limburg (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
BAL Weert: L.Colson 23+15reb+2ast, H.Minnig 19+2reb+1ast, L.Lican 11+5reb+4ast, O.Brathwaite 8+3reb+8ast, C.Lecesne 6+4reb+2ast, R.Louis-Therese 6+5reb+1ast
Antwerp: K.Foster 17+1ast, C.Daniels 13+5reb+1ast, M.Moore 11, J.Franklin 11+4reb+2ast, E.Lasisi 10+3reb+1ast, M.Flowers 7+6ast

Den Bosch - QSTA Utd. 78-79

There was a surprise result when nineteenth ranked QSTA Utd. (4-27) edged on the road higher ranked Den Bosch (17-14) 79-78 on Friday. QSTA Utd. made 27-of-35 free shots (77.1 percent) during the game, while Den Bosch only scored eleven points from the stripe. The best player for the winners was American forward Ben Carlson (206, college: Utah) who had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds. French center Naoll Balfourier (216-2003) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Samuell Williamson (203-2000, college: SMU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import guard Justin Kier (193-1998, college: Arizona) added 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists respectively. Four QSTA Utd. and five Den Bosch players scored in double figures. Den Bosch's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. QSTA Utd. maintains nineteenth place with 4-27 record. Loser Den Bosch keeps the eighth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Leuven and Union Mons. QSTA Utd. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Den Bosch will play against Zwolle (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Den Bosch: S.Williamson 17+11reb+2ast, J.Kier 13+5reb+5ast, L.Darthard 11+3reb+3ast, S.Dorsey-Walker 10+1reb+2ast, X.Cork 10+5reb+1ast, L.Van Bree 5+3reb+4ast
QSTA Utd.: J.Arvidsson 20+3reb+2ast, N.Balfourier 15+10reb, B.Carlson 14+12reb+1ast, E.Taylor 13+6reb+3ast, K.Helfrich 9+3reb+2ast, B.Van Schaik 5+1ast

Brussels - Kortrijk 84-77

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Kortrijk (24-7) on the court of fifth ranked Circus Brussels on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by Circus Brussels 84-77. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Kortrijk. Strangely Kortrijk outrebounded Brussels 44-26 including a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. American guard Jalen Finch (185-1999, college: Georgia South) stepped up and scored 15 points and 4 assists for the winners and point guard Alexandre Libert (188-1990) chipped in 9 points and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was American Eric Reed Jr (192-2000, college: MSU) with 19 points and 8 rebounds and Slovenian Leon Stergar (193-2000) scored 14 points and 6 rebounds. Kortrijk's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Brussels maintains fifth place with 20-11 record. Kortrijk at the other side still keeps top position with seven games lost. Brussels are looking forward to face league's second-placed Oostende on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kortrijk will play against Charleroi and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Kortrijk: E.Reed Jr 19+8reb, L.Stergar 14+6reb+1ast, D.Williams 11+1reb+3ast, B.Bogaerts 9+7reb+1ast, S.Pouedet 7+5reb+3ast, S.Hofman 4+6reb
Brussels: J.Finch 15+1reb+4ast, G.Tshimanga 13+3reb+1ast, R.Kelly 10+2ast, Y.Desiron 10+4reb, A.Libert 9+4reb+4ast, T.Richardson 8+7reb+1ast

Mechelen - Oostende 74-64

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Mechelen where second-best Oostende (24-8) was defeated by third ranked Kangoeroes (22-7) 74-64 on Friday. Mechelen made 32-of-41 free shots (78.0 percent) during the game, while Oostende only scored twelve points from the stripe. The best player for the winners was American guard Trenton Gibson (193-2000, college: Indiana St.) who scored 15 points. Yannick Dammen (196-1999) chipped in 12 points. Four Kangoeroes players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Caleb Daniels (193-1999, college: Villanova) who recorded 19 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import forward Timmy Allen (198-2000, college: Texas) added 6 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Oostende's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Kangoeroes have a solid series of four victories in a row. Mechelen maintains third place with 22-7 record having 2 victories less than leader Kortrijk. Defending Belgian champion Oostende keeps the second position with eight games lost. Mechelen will meet Union Mons (#9) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Oostende will play against Brussels (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Oostende: C.Daniels 19+7reb+3ast, M.Ververs 9+3reb+3ast, M.Tass 8+4reb, T.Allen 6+7reb+2ast, S.Buysse 6+3ast, P.Gillet 6+7reb
Mechelen: T.Gibson 15+4reb+2ast, Y.Dammen 12+4reb+3ast, J.Heath 12+3reb+2ast, A.Hyatt 11+7reb+1ast, A.Peciukevicius 9+1reb, Z.Bangala 7+7reb

Limburg - Aalst 80-66

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Limburg United (21-10) won against at home 13th ranked Okapi Aalst (14-17) 80-66 on Friday. Limburg looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was guard Quentin Serron (190-1990) who scored 11 points and 6 assists. American power forward Javion Ogunyemi (206-1995, college: Siena) chipped in 11 points and 6 rebounds. Four Limburg United players scored in double figures. Limburg United's coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was Montenegrin Ivan Maras (207-1986) who recorded 19 points and 5 rebounds and Bosnian forward Lazar Mutic (204-1999) added 14 points and 9 rebounds respectively. Limburg maintains fourth place with 21-10 record. Aalst lost third consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 17 games lost. Limburg will meet BAL Weert (#18) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Aalst will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Aalst: I.Maras 19+5reb+1ast, T.Tennyson 16+1reb+3ast, L.Mutic 14+9reb+1ast, S.Ledegen 9+3reb+1ast, N.Van Den Eynde 5+3reb+7ast, N.Botuli 3+1reb+1ast
Limburg: J.Holmes 14+2reb+3ast, J.Ogunyemi 11+6reb+2ast, Q.Serron 11+4reb+6ast, W.Leemans 10+5ast, T.Vanderhaegen 8+6reb+3ast, C.Hammonds 6+1reb+1ast

BAL Weert - Groningen 71-92

Rather expected game when 18th ranked BAL Weert (6-25) was crushed at home by sixteenth ranked Groningen (9-21) 92-71 on Tuesday. Groningen outrebounded BAL Weert 39-27 including 30 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Czech-Canadian center James Karnik (206-1998, college: Boston Coll., agency: Players Group) who had a double-double by scoring 24 points and 15 rebounds. American point guard Tavian Dunn-Martin (173-1998, college: FGCU) chipped in 26 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was point guard Oshean Brathwaite (182-2002) who recorded 16 points and 6 assists and French center Lionel Colson (206-2002) added 19 points and 7 rebounds respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Groningen maintains sixteenth place with 9-21 record. Loser BAL Weert keeps the eighteenth position with 25 games lost. Groningen will meet higher ranked ZZ Leiden (#7) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. BAL Weert will play against Limburg (#4) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
BAL Weert: L.Colson 19+7reb, O.Brathwaite 16+4reb+6ast, L.Lican 12+3reb, C.Lecesne 9+1reb+1ast, H.Minnig 5+1reb+4ast, R.Louis-Therese 4+1reb
Groningen: T.Dunn-Martin 26+5reb+7ast, J.Karnik 24+15reb, F.Brankovic 13+2reb, T.Hoeve 9+3reb+4ast, D.Adetunji 5, D.Gabrovsek 4+4reb+2ast