Liga Nationala Round 23 (Regular Season): Oradea lose to Rapid

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Oradea (17-3) recorded its third loss in Bucuresti on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by tenth ranked Rapid (11-10) 92-86. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Oradea. The hosts trailed by 3 points at the halftime before their 47-38 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. 25 personal fouls committed by Oradea helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American point guard Roman Penn (182-1997, college: Drake) who scored 20 points and 7 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Serbian center Nikola Jevtovic (209-1989, agency: 011 Sports) chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds. The former international point guard Kris Richard (195-1989, college: Tulane) produced 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rapid have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to eighth place. Oradea at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Rapid are looking forward to face higher ranked Valcea (#4) in Ramnicu Valcea in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Oradea will play on the road against Craiova and is hoping to win this game.
Eleventh-ranked Brasov (9-12) made lots of trouble for first ranked Oradea (17-3). The visitors from Oradea managed to secure only three-point victory 99-96. However their fans expected much easier game. Dutch power forward Emmanuel Nzekwesi (203-1997, college: ORU) orchestrated the victory by scoring 22 points and 7 rebounds. Jaizec Lottie contributed with 19 points and 4 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners. American guard Trendon Hankerson (188-2000, college: Akron, agency: 011 Sports) answered with 20 points for Brasov. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Oradea maintains first place with 17-3 record. Brasov lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the twelfth position with 12 games lost. Oradea will play against Craiova (#5) on the road in the next round. Brasov will play against Ploiesti CSM (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Eleventh-ranked Brasov (9-12) made lots of trouble for second ranked Voluntari (17-4) on Saturday. The visitors from Voluntari managed to secure only three-point victory 79-76. However their fans expected much easier game. It was a great evening for Lee Skinner who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points and 5 rebounds. Munis Tutu responded with 20 points and 7 assists (was perfect 14-for-14 from the free throw line !!!). Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Voluntari have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain second place with 17-4 record having just one point less than leader Cluj Napoca. Brasov lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the twelfth position with 12 games lost. Voluntari will meet at home Pitesti (#6) in the next round. Brasov will play against Ploiesti CSM (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 23 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Craiova was defeated by Valcea in Ramnicu Valcea 97-95. Targu Mures smashed Galati at home 117-78. Targu Jiu lost to Timisoara on the opponent's court 87-88. Pitesti unfortunately lost to Valcea in a home game 82-85. Dinamo managed to beat Sibiu on the road 97-81. Steaua crushed Ploiesti CSM on its own court 89-69.
The best stats of 23th round was 26 points and 8 assists by Emmanuel Lecomte of Valcea.



Brasov - Oradea 96-99

Eleventh-ranked Brasov (9-12) made lots of trouble for first ranked Oradea (17-3). The visitors from Oradea managed to secure only three-point victory 99-96. However their fans expected much easier game. Oradea made 32-of-34 charity shots (94.1 percent) during the game, while Brasov only scored thirteen points from the stripe. Brasov was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. Dutch power forward Emmanuel Nzekwesi (203-1997, college: ORU) orchestrated the victory by scoring 22 points and 7 rebounds. American point guard Jaizec Lottie (188-1998, college: Flagler) contributed with 19 points and 4 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners. American guard Trendon Hankerson (188-2000, college: Akron, agency: 011 Sports) answered with 20 points and Canadian point guard Munis Tutu (183-1996, college: Carleton, agency: Inception Sports) added 13 points and 6 assists in the effort for Brasov. Four Oradea and five Brasov players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Oradea maintains first place with 17-3 record. Brasov lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the twelfth position with 12 games lost. Oradea will play against Craiova (#5) on the road in the next round. Brasov will play against Ploiesti CSM (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Oradea: N.Emmanuel 22+7reb+1ast, R.Kris 20+2reb+1ast, L.Jaizec 19+1reb+4ast, S.Bandja 10+3reb+1ast, B.Thomas 9+4reb+3ast, K.Nikola 6+2reb+1ast
Brasov: T.Hankerson 20+1reb+3ast, O.Dragushanckie 15+3reb, T.Johnson 15+5reb+1ast, M.Tutu 13+3reb+6ast, D.Antonescu 12+2reb+2ast, D.Nikolic 10+3reb+2ast

Valcea - Craiova 97-95

There was a minor upset in Ramnicu Valcea where 4th placed Craiova (13-8) was edged by sixth ranked Valcea (13-8) 97-95 on Wednesday. The hosts trailed by 1 point at the halftime before their 31-17 charge in the third quarter, which allowed them to win the game. Valcea made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for Belgian point guard Emmanuel Lecomte (180-1995, college: Baylor, agency: Players Group) who led his team to a victory scoring 26 points and 8 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). American forward DeAndre Pinckney (203-2000, college: Southern Miss) helped adding 23 points and 6 rebounds. Five Valcea players scored in double figures. American point guard Sam Sessoms (182-1999, college: Coppin St.) responded with 25 points and 9 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and the other American import guard Ishmael Leggett (190, college: Pittsburgh) scored 25 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Valcea have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Pitesti and Craiova. Valcea will meet at home Rapid (#8) in the next round. Craiova will play against the league's leader Oradea (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Valcea: L.Emmanuel 26+3reb+8ast, P.DeAndre 23+6reb+3ast, F.Bryn 17+2reb+1ast, C.Amedeo 13+2reb+2ast, H.Terrell 10+2reb, M.Patrick 4+2reb
Craiova: I.Leggett 25+2reb+1ast, S.Sessoms 25+4reb+9ast, D.Dishman 11+9reb+1ast, K.Robinson 9+3reb, B.Tibirna 8+5reb, K.Smith 7+1reb

Brasov - Voluntari 76-79

Eleventh-ranked Brasov (9-12) made lots of trouble for second ranked Voluntari (17-4) on Saturday. The visitors from Voluntari managed to secure only three-point victory 79-76. However their fans expected much easier game. The guests took control from the first minutes by winning the initial quarter 22-18. But Brasov won second period 25-22. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Voluntari made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Voluntari outrebounded Brasov 37-23 including 22 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for American forward Lee Skinner (198-1992, college: Wofford) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import point guard Mike Caffey (183-1993, college: LBSU, agency: Players Group) helped adding 12 points and 4 assists. Canadian point guard Munis Tutu (183-1996, college: Carleton, agency: Inception Sports) responded with 20 points and 7 assists (was perfect 14-for-14 from the free throw line !!!) and American guard Trendon Hankerson (188-2000, college: Akron, agency: 011 Sports) scored 14 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Voluntari have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain second place with 17-4 record having just one point less than leader Cluj Napoca. Brasov lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the twelfth position with 12 games lost. Voluntari will meet at home Pitesti (#6) in the next round. Brasov will play against Ploiesti CSM (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Voluntari: S.Lee 16+5reb+3ast, A.Sacar 14+2reb, C.Mike 12+4reb+4ast, Y.Solomon 9+7reb, J.Kodi 7+4reb+1ast, P.Laszlo 6+4reb+1ast
Brasov: M.Tutu 20+2reb+7ast, M.Maciuca 16+1reb+1ast, T.Hankerson 14+4reb+2ast, T.Johnson 9+5reb+1ast, D.Nikolic 8+2reb, D.Antonescu 3+3reb+1ast

Targu Mures - Galati 117-78

No shocking result in a game when tenth ranked Targu Mures (11-11) smashed at home bottom-ranked Galati (0-21) 117-78 on Saturday. The game without a history. Targu Mures led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They shot 63.5 percent from the field and made 23-of-25 free shots (92.0 percent) during the game. Targu Mures had a 29-15 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for American point guard Michaelyn Scott (182-1993, college: Idaho, agency: Interperformances) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 assists. Montenegrin point guard Goran Martinic (187-1987, agency: 6th Man Basketball Agency) helped adding 19 points. Lithuanian forward Martynas Arlauskas (203-2000, college: Gonzaga) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Serbian point guard Mihailo Jovicic (190-1999, agency: BIG) scored 10 points and 8 assists. Five Targu Mures and four Galati players 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. Targu Mures moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Sibiu. Galati lost their twenty first game in a row. They still close the standings with 21 games lost. Targu Mures will meet Targu Jiu (#14) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Galati will play against Sibiu and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Targu Mures: M.Goran 19+2reb+2ast, D.Trey 17+3reb+2ast, S.Michaelyn 15+2reb+11ast, S.Szabolcs 15+5reb, M.Milija 12+4reb, R.Pavle 11+2reb+4ast
Galati: M.Arlauskas 20+10reb+4ast, D.Axinte 16+4reb, M.Jovicic 10+4reb+8ast, N.Ciuca 10+4reb+1ast, M.Vlaicu 7+6ast, R.Dan 6+1reb

Timisoara - Targu Jiu 88-87

Very expected game when 14th ranked Targu Jiu (1-21) was edged on the road by seventh ranked Timisoara (13-9) 88-87 on Saturday. However just one-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Targu Jiu trailed by 14 points at halftime and as many as 16 after three quarters before a 34-19 last quarter charge cut the deficit to 87-88 at the end of the game. It was a great evening for American point guard Devon Thomas (183-1994, college: Texas Tech) who led his team to a victory scoring 33 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Serbian-Austrian guard Bogic Vujosevic (190-1992) helped adding 26 points. Timisoara's coach Dragan Petricevic used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American guard Collin Cooper (188-2001, college: EKU) responded with 22 points, 5 assists and 4 steals and the other American import power forward Lewis Djonkam (206-1997, college: Morgan St., agency: Olsta) scored 19 points and 8 rebounds. Four Targu Jiu players scored in double figures. Timisoara maintains seventh place with 13-9 record. Targu Jiu lost their ninth game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the fourteenth position with 21 games lost. Timisoara will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Targu Jiu will play against Targu Mures (#10) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Timisoara: T.Devon 33+7reb+4ast, V.Bogic 26+4reb+3ast, B.Marcu-Traian 9+2reb+3ast, M.Adam 8+3reb+3ast, L.Laszlo 4+5reb+2ast, B.George 3+5reb
Targu Jiu: C.Cooper 22+4reb+5ast, L.Djonkam 19+8reb+2ast, M.Evans 18+6reb+2ast, S.Gribinic 11+5reb+3ast, L.Carstea 8+3reb+1ast, M.Diaby 5+2reb+1ast

Pitesti - Valcea 82-85

There was a small surprise when sixth ranked Valcea (13-8) edged on the road 4th placed Pitesti (13-8) 85-82 on Saturday. The guests trailed by 2 points after three quarters before their 23-18 charge, which allowed them to win the game. Valcea looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a great evening for Belgian point guard Emmanuel Lecomte (180-1995, college: Baylor, agency: Players Group) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 5 assists. The former international center Rares Uta (211-1997, agency: BIG) helped adding 12 points and 9 rebounds. Four Valcea players scored in double figures. American forward Dimitrius Underwood (193-1998, college: Charleston, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 25 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward Kendall Lewis (203, college: Illinois St.) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Valcea. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Pitesti and Craiova. Valcea will meet at home Rapid (#8) in the next round. Pitesti will play against the league's second-placed Voluntari (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Valcea: L.Emmanuel 17+1reb+5ast, F.Bryn 16+5ast, U.Rares 12+9reb+1ast, G.Kenny 11+3reb+1ast, P.DeAndre 9+4reb, N.Titus 6+6reb
Pitesti: D.Underwood 25+8reb+4ast, E.Maxwell 15+2reb, K.Lewis 14+7reb+1ast, M.Thornton 9+3reb+5ast, C.Baciu 9+6reb, T.Somacescu 4+2reb+1ast

Rapid - Oradea 92-86

Top ranked Oradea (17-3) recorded its third loss in Bucuresti on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by tenth ranked Rapid (11-10) 92-86. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Oradea. The hosts trailed by 3 points at the halftime before their 47-38 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. 25 personal fouls committed by Oradea helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American point guard Roman Penn (182-1997, college: Drake) who scored 20 points and 7 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Serbian center Nikola Jevtovic (209-1989, agency: 011 Sports) chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds. The former international point guard Kris Richard (195-1989, college: Tulane) produced 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Dutch power forward Emmanuel Nzekwesi (203-1997, college: ORU) added 15 points and 6 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rapid have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to eighth place. Oradea at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Rapid are looking forward to face higher ranked Valcea (#4) in Ramnicu Valcea in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Oradea will play on the road against Craiova and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Rapid: P.Roman 20+2reb+7ast, L.Oleksandr 16+2reb, J.Nikola 15+5reb+2ast, N.Markovic 12+2reb+4ast, G.Tudor 8+1reb+3ast, O.Isiah 7+2reb+1ast
Oradea: K.Richard 17+6reb+6ast, E.Nzekwesi 15+6reb+2ast, B.Sy 12+4reb+1ast, J.Lottie 11+5ast, N.Nicolescu 8+3reb, K.Young 8+3reb

Sibiu - Dinamo B. 81-97

Not a big story in a game when 9th ranked Sibiu (11-11) was defeated at home by third ranked Dinamo (15-7) 97-81 on Sunday. It was a very close game until the last quarter, when Dinamo's pressure prevailed and they won that period 24-13 extending their advantage to 16 points. They made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Dinamo made 7 blocks. It was a great evening for American guard Jonathan Stark (184-1995, college: Murray St., agency: Pensack Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points and 6 assists. Guinean-American power forward Ousmane Drame (206-1993, college: Quinnipiac) helped adding 16 points and 7 rebounds. American guard MJ Randolph (193-1999, college: FAMU) responded with 17 points and the other American import power forward Anthony Smith (203-1997, college: Murray St.) scored 16 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Dinamo. They maintain third place with 15-7 record despite having the same number of points like the leader Cluj Napoca. Loser Sibiu keeps the ninth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Targu Mures. Dinamo's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Bucuresti Steaua.
Top scorers:
Dinamo B.: S.Jonathan 23+4reb+6ast, D.Ousmane 16+7reb, M.Derrick 14+5reb+3ast, L.Marcus 14+4reb+2ast, V.Radu 10+1ast, G.Stefan 7+2reb+1ast
Sibiu: M.Randolph 17+4reb+3ast, A.Smith 16+6reb+2ast, T.King 15+2reb+3ast, K.Stone 14+7reb+1ast, A.Blidaru 6, E.Roschnafsky 5+3reb+2ast

Steaua B. - Ploiesti CSM 89-69

The game between closely ranked teams ended with twelfth ranked Steaua's (10-12) home victory over 13th ranked Ploiesti CSM (6-15) 89-69 on Monday. The game without a history. Steaua led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Ploiesti CSM's players. It was a great evening for American point guard Kenny Dye (183-2000, college: Queens, NC) who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points, 7 assists and 4 steals (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). His fellow American import forward Juwan Gray (203-1996, college: Towson, agency: Blacktop Management) helped adding 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Steaua B. players scored in double figures. Serbian center Veljko Brkic (206-1995) responded with 15 points and 5 rebounds and center George Angelian (199-2006) scored 11 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Steaua moved-up to eleventh place. Ploiesti CSM lost their seventh game in a row. They keep the thirteenth position with 15 games lost. Steaua's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Bucuresti to the arena Dinamo.
Top scorers:
Steaua B.: D.Kenny 18+4reb+7ast, G.Juwan 17+8reb+4ast, A.Alin 13+1reb+2ast, A.Dame 12+7reb+2ast, V.Balan 6+1reb, V.Alexandru 6+2reb+3ast
Ploiesti CSM: V.Brkic 15+5reb+2ast, A.George 11+5reb+2ast, J.Andre 9+2reb+1ast, D.Codrut-Alexander 9+3reb+2ast, R.David-Loan 7+7reb+2ast, J.Febres 6+2reb