Superleague Round 20 (Regular Season): RASHI defeat TSU

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked TSU (14-5) in Tbilisi on Wednesday night. Hosts were rolled over by ninth ranked RASHI (8-11) 106-84. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of TSU. The game was mostly controlled by RASHI. TSU managed to win second period 21-17. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. RASHI looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American players dominated the game. Forward Evan Milligan (196-1997, college: Life) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 30 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Center Andre Weir (206-2001, college: KSU) contributed with 25 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) for the winners. point guard Quentin Hardrict (183-2000, college: Pitt St.) replied with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for TSU. TSU's coach Lekso Lapanashvili gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. RASHI have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Kavkasia and Iverioni. TSU at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. RASHI is looking forward to face higher ranked Batumi (#4) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. TSU will play against Telavi and is hoping to win this game.
Tenth-ranked Rustavi (6-13) used its home court advantage to challenge fourth ranked Batumi (13-6). The visitors from Batumi managed to secure only two-point victory 77-75. However their fans expected much easier game. Worth to mention a great performance of international point guard Giorgi Ochkhikidze (190-2004, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording 25 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Miryne Thomas who added 13 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals during the contest. American guard Montez Mathis (193-1999, college: St.John's) responded with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Rustavi's coach Levan Tsekvava tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Batumi moved-up to second place, which they share with Kutaisi and Margveti. Rustavi lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the tenth position with 13 games lost. Batumi will play against RASHI (#8) in Tbilisi in the next round where they are favorite. Rustavi will play at home against Orbi and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game between third ranked Kutaisi (13-6) and 11th ranked Delta (3-17) in Kutaisi on Thursday ended with biggest points difference. Kutaisi outscored guests from Gurjaani 114-82. The winners were led by Javion Ogunyemi who scored that evening 22 points and 9 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). Even 29 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists by Chris Barton did not help to save the game for Delta. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kutaisi have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Batumi and Margveti. Delta lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 17 games lost. Kutaisi will meet at home league's second-placed Margveti in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Delta will have a break next round.

In the last two games of round 20 Kavkasia was beaten by Orbi on the road 106-96. Margveti won against Telavi on its own court 81-69.



Orbi - Kavkasia 106-96

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Orbi (10-9) beat 7th ranked Kavkasia (8-11) in Tkibuli 106-96 on Wednesday. Kavkasia was tied after three quarters but could not keep up in the last quarter eventually losing the game. They outrebounded Kavkasia 51-36 including 17 on the offensive glass. Orbi looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by American guard Larry Austin Jr (188-1996, college: CMU) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 32 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals and the other American import point guard Mark Freeman (180-1999, college: JMU) supported him with 36 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 14 points and 9 assists by international point guard Luka Maziashvili (187-2000, college: UMass Lowell) did not help to save the game for Kavkasia. The former international swingman Nikoloz Gafrindashvili (200-2002) added 23 points for the guests. Four Kavkasia players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Orbi maintains fifth position with 10-9 record. Kavkasia lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 11 games lost. They share the position with RASHI and Iverioni. Orbi will meet Rustavi (#10) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Kavkasia will play against Iverioni in Gori and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Orbi: F.Mark 36+9reb+5ast, A.Larry 32+11reb+7ast, B.Lomashvili 16+6reb+2ast, I.Londaridze 7+4reb+2ast, M.Sean 7+4reb, N.Totladze 5+3reb+3ast
Kavkasia: G.Nikoloz 23+1reb+1ast, M.Lasha 15+5reb+2ast, L.Maziashvili 14+4reb+9ast, X.Bell 14+2reb+1ast, D.Tillman 8+6reb+2ast, K.Davit 7+1ast

TSU - RASHI 84-106

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked TSU (14-5) in Tbilisi on Wednesday night. Hosts were rolled over by ninth ranked RASHI (8-11) 106-84. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of TSU. The game was mostly controlled by RASHI. TSU managed to win second period 21-17. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. RASHI looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American players dominated the game. Forward Evan Milligan (196-1997, college: Life) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 30 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Center Andre Weir (206-2001, college: KSU) contributed with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) for the winners. Four RASHI players scored in double figures. point guard Quentin Hardrict (183-2000, college: Pitt St.) replied with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and guard Nick Brenegan (190, college: C-N) added 18 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) in the effort for TSU. TSU's coach Lekso Lapanashvili gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. RASHI have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Kavkasia and Iverioni. TSU at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. RASHI is looking forward to face higher ranked Batumi (#4) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. TSU will play against Telavi and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
RASHI: M.Evan 30+10reb+7ast, L.Zaqradze 26+4reb+4ast, W.Andre 25+10reb+3ast, T.Trey 12+2reb+1ast, G.Levan 7+9reb+8ast, G.Deng 4+6reb+2ast
TSU: N.Brenegan 18+3reb+1ast, Q.Hardrict 16+5reb+6ast, C.McCauley 11+6reb+2ast, C.Nika 10+2reb+1ast, A.Aroshidze 9+2reb+1ast, G.Turdziladze 8+7ast

Margveti - Telavi 81-69

Very expected game when 6th ranked Telavi (9-10) lost to second ranked Margveti (13-6) in Tbilisi 69-81 on Wednesday. The game was mostly controlled by Margveti. Telavi managed to win fourth quarter 29-21. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Margveti dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Telavi's 32. They outrebounded Telavi 43-31 including a 32-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. The winners were led by American guard Dalton Banks (188-2001, college: Illinois St.) who scored that evening 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import guard Christian Jones (190-2000, college: CBU) supported him with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 19 points by American guard Terence Harcum (185-2003, college: Murray St.) did not help to save the game for Telavi. Forward Levan Gogichaishvili (200-2001) added 12 points for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Margveti have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-6 record behind leader TSU, which they share with Kutaisi and Batumi. Loser Telavi keeps the sixth place with ten games lost. Margveti will meet Kutaisi (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Telavi will play against the league's leader TSU in Tbilisi and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Margveti: H.Jalen 16+4reb+3ast, D.Banks 14+8reb+5ast, J.Christian 12+11reb+4ast, L.Kotliarevski 9+2reb+1ast, S.Sanadze 7+1ast, C.Roman 6+8reb
Telavi: T.Harcum 19+4reb+3ast, G.Levan 12+2reb+2ast, L.Luka 7+4reb+2ast, C.Davit 7+2ast, A.Holt 6+5reb, T.Andria 6+2ast

Kutaisi - Delta 114-82

The game between third ranked Kutaisi (13-6) and 11th ranked Delta (3-17) in Kutaisi on Thursday ended with biggest points difference. Kutaisi outscored guests from Gurjaani 114-82. The game was mostly controlled by Kutaisi. Delta managed to win fourth quarter 30-23. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Kutaisi dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Delta's 42. Kutaisi looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Delta's players. The winners were led by American power forward Javion Ogunyemi (206-1995, college: Siena) who scored that evening 22 points and 9 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) and the other American import point guard Detrek Browning (185-1995, college: FMU) supported him with 21 points and 9 assists. Five Kutaisi players scored in double figures. Even 29 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists by American guard Chris Barton (190-1996, college: Niagara) did not help to save the game for Delta. Center Valerian Tsuleiskiri (202-1999) added 16 points and 11 rebounds for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kutaisi have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Batumi and Margveti. Delta lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 17 games lost. Kutaisi will meet at home league's second-placed Margveti in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Delta will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kutaisi: O.Javion 22+9reb+3ast, B.Detrek 21+1reb+9ast, J.Kakhaber 14+7reb+2ast, N.Soselia 14+2reb+2ast, S.Giorgi 14+5reb+3ast, G.Marqus 9+4reb+2ast
Delta: C.Barton 29+7reb+4ast, T.Valerian 16+11reb+2ast, L.Luka 15+1reb+2ast, B.Otari 8+1reb+1ast, K.Luka 4+5reb+1ast, K.Guja 3+1reb+1ast

Rustavi - Batumi 75-77

Tenth-ranked Rustavi (6-13) used its home court advantage to challenge fourth ranked Batumi (13-6). The visitors from Batumi managed to secure only two-point victory 77-75. However their fans expected much easier game. Rustavi was ahead by 1 point at the halftime before a 22-16 third quarter run of Batumi. Worth to mention a great performance of international point guard Giorgi Ochkhikidze (190-2004, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording 25 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and American forward Miryne Thomas (203-1999, college: Kent St.) who added 13 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals during the contest. Five Batumi players scored in double figures. American guard Montez Mathis (193-1999, college: St.John's) responded with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and Bahamas-Canadian center Kaosi Ezeague (208-1999, college: NM State) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. Rustavi's coach Levan Tsekvava tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Batumi moved-up to second place, which they share with Kutaisi and Margveti. Rustavi lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the tenth position with 13 games lost. Batumi will play against RASHI (#8) in Tbilisi in the next round where they are favorite. Rustavi will play at home against Orbi and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Batumi: O.Giorgi 25+6reb+6ast, L.Davit 13+2reb+1ast, T.Miryne 13+14reb+7ast, B.Carson 11+7reb+1ast, L.Babilodze 10+2reb+3ast, B.Gegi 5+2reb+1ast
Rustavi: M.Mathis 23+8reb+6ast, K.Ezeague 14+7reb+1ast, C.Slater 9+1reb+2ast, G.Vakhtang 8+3reb+4ast, B.Elijah 7+2reb+4ast, G.Patashuri 7+6reb+2ast