Round 10 (Regular Season): Bakken hands first loss to Tartu

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Estonian Tartu (4-1) at the home court on Wednesday night. Hosts were rolled over by Danish Bakken (4-0) 94-71. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Bakken dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Tartu's 34. They outrebounded Tartu 40-27 including a 32-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Bakken looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward DeAndre Pinckney (203-2000, college: Southern Miss) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 26 points and 14 rebounds. The other American import forward Ryan Evans (202-1990, college: Wisconsin) contributed with 16 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Rain Veideman (192-1991) replied with 14 points for Tartu. Tartu's coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Bakken have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Danish champion maintains first position with 4-0 record which they share with defeated Tartu. Tartu at the other side still keeps top place with one game lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Bakken are looking forward to face Start (#3) in Lublin in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Tartu will have a break next round.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Polish Start (1-3) against fourth ranked Bulgarian Spartak Pleven (1-4) on Tuesday night. Visiting Start was defeated by Spartak Pleven in a tough game in Pleven 95-101. American center Bryant Thomas (203-1999, college: C-N) scored 24 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Nikolay Stoyanov chipped in 13 points and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side American guard Liam OReilly (188-1996, college: Gardner-Webb, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 20 points and 4 assists. Despite that victory Spartak Pleven went down to fifth position due to points difference. Start at the other side keeps the third place with three games lost. They share the position with Zwolle. Spartak Pleven will play against Svendborg (#6) on the road in the next round. Start will play against the league's leader Bakken in Aarhus and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Danish Bakken (4-0) which played road game in Bristol against their close opponent British Flyers (3-3). Top-ranked Bakken managed to get a 4-point victory 87-83. Darko Jukic notched 17 points and 6 assists to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds by Brad Greene did not help to save the game for Bristol Flyers. Flyers' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Bakken have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Danish champion maintains first position with 4-0 record. Loser Flyers dropped to the second place with three games lost. Bakken will meet at home Start (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Bristol Flyers will have a break next round.

Other games in round 10 were not that significant. Winless Svendborg was smashed by Tartu on the road 83-41. Juventus destroyed Zwolle on its own court 84-56. Winless Valmiera Glass unfortunately lost to Brno in a road game 74-90. Siauliai rolled over Keila at home 107-79.
The most impressive performance of 10th round was 19 points, 5 assists and 4 steals by LJ Thorpe of Siauliai.



Tartu - Bakken 71-94

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Estonian Tartu (4-1) at the home court on Wednesday night. Hosts were rolled over by Danish Bakken (4-0) 94-71. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Bakken dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Tartu's 34. They outrebounded Tartu 40-27 including a 32-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Bakken looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward DeAndre Pinckney (203-2000, college: Southern Miss) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 26 points and 14 rebounds. The other American import forward Ryan Evans (202-1990, college: Wisconsin) contributed with 16 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Four Bakken players scored in double figures. Rain Veideman (192-1991) replied with 14 points and Latvian forward Rinalds Malmanis (206-1996) added 9 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Tartu. Tartu's coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Bakken have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Danish champion maintains first position with 4-0 record which they share with defeated Tartu. Tartu at the other side still keeps top place with one game lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Bakken are looking forward to face Start (#3) in Lublin in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Tartu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Bakken: D.Pinckney 26+14reb+2ast, R.Evans 16+7reb+2ast, S.Noah 16+4reb+2ast, M.Parsons 14+2reb+3ast, S.Bowlin 10+7ast, M.Diouf 8+3reb
Tartu: R.Kivi 14+3reb+2ast, R.Veideman 14+3reb+3ast, A.Shundel 12+3reb+2ast, R.Malmanis 9+8reb+3ast, K.Kitsing 8+2reb+2ast, A.Menzies 6+5reb+2ast

Spartak Pleven - Start 101-95

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Polish Start (1-3) against fourth ranked Bulgarian Spartak Pleven (1-4) on Tuesday night. Visiting Start was defeated by Spartak Pleven in a tough game in Pleven 95-101. Spartak Pleven players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. American center Bryant Thomas (203-1999, college: C-N) scored 24 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and swingman Nikolay Stoyanov (195-1994) chipped in 13 points and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side American guard Liam OReilly (188-1996, college: Gardner-Webb, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 20 points and 4 assists and his fellow American import point guard Jabril Durham (185-1994, college: Arkansas, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 13 points and 6 assists. Five Start players scored in double figures. Despite that victory Spartak Pleven went down to fifth position due to points difference. Start at the other side keeps the third place with three games lost. They share the position with Zwolle. Spartak Pleven will play against Svendborg (#6) on the road in the next round. Start will play against the league's leader Bakken in Aarhus and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Spartak Pleven: B.Thomas 24+6reb+2ast, R.Purvis 15+4reb+2ast, N.Stoyanov 13+4reb+4ast, T.Chernokozhev 13+2reb+2ast, I.Ivkov 10+3reb+2ast, T.Konstantin 10+2reb+3ast
Start: L.O'Reilly 20+3reb+4ast, T.Gabric 17+4reb, J.Durham 13+4reb+6ast, B.Benson 11+10reb+2ast, T.Wade 10+1reb+4ast, J.Karolak 8+1reb+2ast

Tartu - Svendborg 83-41

No shocking result in a game when first ranked Estonian Tartu (4-1) crushed at home bottom-ranked Danish Svendborg (0-5) 83-41 on Tuesday. Tartu outrebounded Svendborg 55-33 including a 41-28 advantage in defensive rebounds. British center Aaron Menzies (221-1996, college: SMC, agency: Helping Ballers) notched a double-double by scoring 11 points and 14 rebounds to lead the effort and Rain Veideman (192-1991) supported him with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Menzies is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Tartu players scored in double figures. Even 4 points and 9 rebounds by Dutch forward Dylan Van Eyck (203-1998, college: Iona) did not help to save the game for Svendborg. American forward Hameir Wright (206-1999, college: N.Texas) added 11 points for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tartu maintains first position with 4-1 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Svendborg still closes the standings with five games lost. Tartu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Svendborg will play against Spartak Pleven (#5) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Tartu: M.Rosenthal 15+3reb+4ast, A.Shundel 15+3reb+1ast, R.Veideman 12+9reb+1ast, A.Menzies 11+14reb+2ast, H.Eelmae 6+3reb+1ast, R.Malmanis 6+5reb+1ast
Svendborg: H.Wright 11+4reb, D.Penn 9+4reb+1ast, J.Willis 8+3reb, K.Marfo 5+8reb+1ast, D.Van Eyck 4+9reb+3ast, V.Gabriel 4+2reb

Bristol Flyers - Bakken 83-87

An interesting game for Danish Bakken (4-0) which played road game in Bristol against their close opponent British Flyers (3-3). Top-ranked Bakken managed to get a 4-point victory 87-83. Bakken looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Forward Darko Jukic (199-1990) notched 17 points and 6 assists to lead the effort and American forward Ryan Evans (202-1990, college: Wisconsin) supported him with 8 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Even a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds by American forward Brad Greene (210-1998, college: UC Irvine) did not help to save the game for Bristol Flyers. Forward Raphell Thomas-Edwards (198-1993, college: Gannon) added 14 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Flyers' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Bakken have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Danish champion maintains first position with 4-0 record. Loser Flyers dropped to the second place with three games lost. Bakken will meet at home Start (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Bristol Flyers will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Bakken: D.Jukic 17+1reb+6ast, D.Pinckney 14+4reb+1ast, S.Noah 12+4reb+2ast, K.Gustav 12+4reb, M.Diouf 9+3reb+2ast, R.Evans 8+9reb+5ast
Bristol Flyers: B.Greene 16+10reb+1ast, R.Thomas-Edwards 14+9reb, T.Jacob 14+4reb+3ast, T.Olison 9+2reb+6ast, L.Bradley 8, R.Graham-Bell 7+2reb+2ast

Juventus - Zwolle 84-56

Rather expected game when 4th ranked Dutch Zwolle (1-3) was smashed by top-ranked Lithuanian Juventus (5-0) in Utena 84-56 on Wednesday. Juventus shot 62.5 percent from the field. Juventus had a 29-17 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Zwolle's players. Croatian center Ivan Vranes (207-1996) notched 19 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and American guard Ryan Taylor (198-1995, college: Northwestern) supported him with 11 points. Even 12 points by American center Noah Dickerson (207-1997, college: Washington) did not help to save the game for Zwolle. His fellow American import point guard Darius Quisenberry (188-1999, college: Fordham) added 15 points for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Juventus have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 5-0 record. Loser Zwolle dropped to the third place with three games lost. They share the position with Start. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Juventus: I.Vranes 19+4reb, R.Taylor 11+4reb+2ast, A.Penava 10+4reb+2ast, S.Smith 8+3reb+3ast, E.Sederevicius 8+1reb+3ast, M.Valinskas 6+3reb+3ast
Zwolle: D.Quisenberry 15+1reb, N.Dickerson 12+4reb, J.Ekamba-Ey'Oombe 5, J.Pagenkopf 5+1reb+2ast, M.Kozak 5+7reb+1ast, D.Vaal Tjall 4+4reb

Brno - Valmiera Glass 90-74

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both twelfth ranked Czech Brno and bottom-ranked Latvian Valmiera Glass had identical 0-5 record. This time Brno used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Valmiera 90-74 on Tuesday night. Brno dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Valmiera Glass' 22. They outrebounded Valmiera Glass 41-30 including 30 on the defensive glass. Brno looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. American power forward Terrell Brown-Soares (208-1998, college: San Diego) notched 30 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import forward Greg Lee (206-1998, college: Penn St., agency: VM Hoops Agency) supported him with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Even 30 points and 5 rebounds by American guard Seneca Knight (198-2000, college: Illinois St.) did not help to save the game for Valmiera Glass. Slovakian center Maros Zeliznak (211-1999, college: Jax State) added 7 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Despite that victory Brno went down to thirteenth position due to points difference. It was Valmiera Glass' third loss in a row. They still close the standings with six games lost. Brno will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Valmiera Glass will play against Voluntari (#7) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Brno: T.Brown-Soares 30+9reb+3ast, G.Lee 20+7reb+2ast, K.Petr 8+7reb+5ast, O.Siska 8+2reb+2ast, V.Pulpan 7+10reb+11ast, S.Simon 6+3reb+1ast
Valmiera Glass: S.Knight 30+5reb+2ast, Z.Harun 13+4reb+1ast, E.Elksnis 10+7reb+1ast, M.Zeliznak 7+9reb+2ast, J.Kaufmanis 6+2ast, P.Miglinieks 3+2reb+1ast

Siauliai - Keila 107-79

Not a big story in a game when 12th ranked Estonian Keila (2-3) was outscored on the road by ninth ranked Lithuanian Siauliai (4-1) 107-79 on Wednesday. Siauliai dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Keila's 28. They outrebounded Keila 39-23 including a 29-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Siauliai looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American guard LJ Thorpe (196-1999, college: UNC Asheville, agency: Worldwide SM) notched 19 points, 5 assists and 4 steals (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and Jamaican-Canadian forward Shaquille Keith (198-1993, college: Cape Breton) supported him with 16 points and 4 assists. Even a double-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals by Lithuanian forward Denis Krestinin (202-1994) did not help to save the game for Keila. Kristen Kasemets (191-2002) added 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Siauliai keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Keila keeps the twelfth place with three games lost. Siauliai will meet Liege (#9) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Keila will play against Zastal in Zielona Gora and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Siauliai: L.Thorpe 19+3reb+5ast, S.Keith 16+3reb+4ast, N.Mineikis 16+2reb, D.Burke 16+3reb, D.Paulius 10+5reb+6ast, D.Romancenko 9+7reb+3ast
Keila: A.Myronenko 23+1reb+3ast, K.Kristen 18+6reb+4ast, D.Krestinin 14+10reb+5ast, K.Johnson 11+2reb+6ast, K.Saks 8+2reb+1ast, K.Zunda 3+2reb