Superliga Round 12 (Regular Season): Bashkimi keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Bashkimi as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Bashkimi smashed bottom-ranked United in Prizren 98-49. Bashkimi dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to United's 36. Bashkimi forced 19 United turnovers and outrebounded them 52-32 including 18 on the offensive glass. Bashkimi looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by United's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Bashkimi made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was American forward Sarah Mgbeike (185, college: OLLU) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 blocks. International point guard Diedona Halitaj (166-1998) chipped in 28 points and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Etna Rexhepi (180-2006) who recorded a double-double by scoring 10 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Bashkimi (11-1) have an impressive eight-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Prishtina. United at the other side still closes the standings with 12 games lost. United will play next round against strong Trepca trying to get back on the winning streak. Bashkimi will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Peja 03 on the road.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Peja: Peja 03 (#3) and Penza (#5). Penza was smashed at home by 31 points 78-109 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It was a good game for U.S. Virgin Islands guard Taylor Jones (173-1997, college: Oakland) who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals. Zerina Shatri contributed with 19 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. American forward Lycia Peevy (188, college: Arkansas St.) replied with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for Penza. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Newly promoted Peja 03 maintains third position with 7-5 record having four points less than leader Bashkimi. Penza at the other side keeps the fifth place with nine games lost. Peja 03 will play against league's leader Bashkimi in Prizren in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Penza will play on the road against the league's second-placed Prishtina (#2) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
An exciting game was played in Mitrovice. Second ranked Prishtina faced 4th ranked Trepca. Guests from Prishtina (11-1) defeated host Trepca (4-8) 79-64. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of Asianae Johnson who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Prishtina's coach Lorik Kllokoqi used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was MarShay Moore with 35 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Prishtina have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Bashkimi. Trepca lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with eight games lost. Prishtina will meet at home Penza (#5) in the next round. Trepca will play against United and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

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Trepca - Prishtina 64-79

An exciting game was played in Mitrovice. Second ranked Prishtina faced 4th ranked Trepca. Guests from Prishtina (11-1) defeated host Trepca (4-8) 79-64. Prishtina dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Trepca's 24. Prishtina had a 34-22 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Asianae Johnson (173, college: MSU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists and power forward Jade Williams (196-1998, college: Duke) who added 23 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. Four Prishtina players scored in double figures. Prishtina's coach Lorik Kllokoqi used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was guard MarShay Moore (173, college: Oregon) with 35 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 5 assists and swingman Jessica Wilson scored 15 points and 7 rebounds. Prishtina have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Bashkimi. Trepca lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with eight games lost. Prishtina will meet at home Penza (#5) in the next round. Trepca will play against United and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Trepca: M.Moore 35+8reb+5ast, W.Jessica 15+7reb+2ast, M.Alma 12+6reb, M.Blerta 2+3reb+2ast, M.Luenta 0, F.Medina 0
Prishtina: A.Johnson 24+11reb+7ast, J.Williams 23+14reb+2ast, H.Malvina 16+1reb+4ast, E.Zykaj 11+4reb+7ast, M.Flutra 5+7reb, D.Dekaj 0

Penza - Peja 03 78-109

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Peja: Peja 03 (#3) and Penza (#5). Penza was smashed at home by 31 points 78-109 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Peja 03 made 16-of-19 charity shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Peja 03 outrebounded Penza 52-36 including a 41-28 advantage in defensive rebounds. Peja 03 players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. It was a good game for U.S. Virgin Islands guard Taylor Jones (173-1997, college: Oakland) who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals. The former international power forward Zerina Shatri (188-1995, college: OLLU) contributed with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Five Peja 03 players scored in double figures. American forward Lycia Peevy (188, college: Arkansas St.) replied with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and the former international center Saranda Daci (190-1993) added 25 points and 4 blocks in the effort for Penza. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Newly promoted Peja 03 maintains third position with 7-5 record having four points less than leader Bashkimi. Penza at the other side keeps the fifth place with nine games lost. Peja 03 will play against league's leader Bashkimi in Prizren in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Penza will play on the road against the league's second-placed Prishtina (#2) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Penza: S.Daci 25+4reb+2ast, L.Peevy 24+8reb+4ast, S.Vraniqi 8+4reb+2ast, B.Vanesa 7+4reb, N.Vesa 5+3reb+1ast, M.Lara 4+4reb+1ast
Peja 03: A.Rrahmani 23+4reb+3ast, T.Jones 23+10reb+9ast, Z.Shatri 19+12reb+3ast, J.Mastellone 16+10reb+5ast, B.Martinaj 12+4reb+4ast, S.Elsa 7+6reb+1ast

Bashkimi - United 98-49

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Bashkimi as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Bashkimi smashed bottom-ranked United in Prizren 98-49. Bashkimi dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to United's 36. Bashkimi forced 19 United turnovers and outrebounded them 52-32 including 18 on the offensive glass. Bashkimi looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by United's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Bashkimi made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was American forward Sarah Mgbeike (185, college: OLLU) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 blocks. International point guard Diedona Halitaj (166-1998) chipped in 28 points and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Etna Rexhepi (180-2006) who recorded a double-double by scoring 10 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and Anila Selmani added 15 points 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. Bashkimi (11-1) have an impressive eight-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Prishtina. United at the other side still closes the standings with 12 games lost. United will play next round against strong Trepca trying to get back on the winning streak. Bashkimi will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Peja 03 on the road.
Top scorers:
United: S.Anila 15+2reb, R.Etna 10+10reb+6ast, A.Sankar 9+7reb+1ast, S.Viola 8+7reb+1ast, K.Anesa 3+2reb+1ast, S.Riga 2+2reb
Bashkimi: D.Halitaj 28+3reb+4ast, S.Mgbeike 20+16reb+8ast, A.Muhadri 17+12reb, G.Klea 11+3reb, B.Merisa 8+5reb+1ast, K.Vesa 8+7reb+1ast