Superleague Round 3 (Regular Season): Dnipro lose their first game against Rivne

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Dnipro (4-1) on the court of Rivne on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by Rivne 86-69. The game was mostly controlled by Rivne. Dnipro managed to win second period 16-14. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. It was a great evening for American forward Ja'Von Benson (201, college: Ole Miss) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 17 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Demarius Jacobs (188-1998, college: Ball St.) helped adding 14 points. The best for the losing side was the former international forward Stanislav Tymofeienko (205-1989) with 22 points and 6 rebounds. Dnipro's coach Volodymyr Koval rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Rivne is looking forward to face Niko Basket (#10) in Mykolaiv in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Dnipro will play at home against Zaporizhye (#1) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Rivne. host Rivne (5-2) lost to Zaporizhye (5-2) 86-81. It was an exceptional evening for American Julian Powell (206-1996, college: Lincoln) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Dmitry Martynov accounted for 23 points and 5 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Guard Oleksandr Ponosov (186-2004, agency: BIG) came up with 18 points and 4 assists for Rivne in the defeat. Zaporizhye will play against Dnipro (#4) on the road in the next round. Rivne will play against Niko Basket in Mykolaiv and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Zaporizhye (5-2) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed Volyn (2-5) in Lutsk 76-57. The best player for the winners was Jonathan Ileleji who scored 26 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Sviatoslav Tovkach who recorded 7 points and 12 rebounds. Volyn's coach Nikita Voievoda tested ten players seeing no chance for a win. Zaporizhye will meet Dnipro (#4) on the road in the next round. Volyn will play against Cherkasy and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 3: Niko Basket was destroyed by Kyiv Basket on the opponent's court 100-70. Bottom-ranked Hoverla unfortunately lost to Khmelnytskyi in a home game 79-81. Niko Basket recorded a loss to K.Sokoly on the road 65-82. Volyn lost to defending champion Dnipro on its own court 68-70. Cherkasy was smashed by Kyiv Basket in a road game 61-93. K.Sokoly destroyed Cherkasy at home 105-57. Volyn unfortunately lost to Niko Basket on the opponent's court 81-92. Cherkasy recorded a loss to Rivne in a home game 64-76. K.Sokoly defeated Hoverla on the road 73-69. Khmelnytskyi was smashed by Kyiv Basket on its own court 51-72.



Rivne - Dnipro 86-69:
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Dnipro (4-1) on the court of Rivne on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by Rivne 86-69. The game was mostly controlled by Rivne. Dnipro managed to win second period 16-14. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. It was a great evening for American forward Ja'Von Benson (201, college: Ole Miss) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 17 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Demarius Jacobs (188-1998, college: Ball St.) helped adding 14 points. Four Rivne players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was the former international forward Stanislav Tymofeienko (205-1989) with 22 points and 6 rebounds and point guard Mykhailo Horobchenko (185-1998, agency: BIG) scored 11 points and 6 assists. Dnipro's coach Volodymyr Koval rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Rivne is looking forward to face Niko Basket (#10) in Mykolaiv in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Dnipro will play at home against Zaporizhye (#1) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Dnipro: S.Tymofeienko 22+6reb+3ast, D.Sypalo 11+7reb+1ast, M.Horobchenko 11+3reb+6ast, S.Zahreba 9+2reb, Y.Sorochan 8+4reb, Z.Maksym 7+3reb+3ast
Rivne: J.Benson 24+17reb, S.Ryaboy 16+1reb, J.Demarius 14+2reb+3ast, P.Oleksandr 11+5reb, D.Trykolenko 7+5reb, V.Bykov 5+2ast

Kyiv Basket - Niko Basket 100-70:
Very expected game when Niko Basket (1-4) was crushed on the road by Kyiv Basket (5-2) 100-70 on Sunday. The game was mostly controlled by Kyiv Basket. Niko Basket managed to win second period 22-21. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded Niko Basket 42-25 including 28 on the defensive glass. Kyiv Basket looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Niko Basket's players. The best player for the winners was American guard Javion May (188-1999, college: SHSU) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. His fellow American import point guard Cam Clardy (183, college: Sul Ross St.) chipped in a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 assists. Four Kyiv Basket players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Jamir Simpson (196, college: UTSA) who recorded 22 points and guard Bogdan Lukian (183-1999) added 9 points and 8 assists 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. Kyiv Basket will meet Hoverla (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Niko Basket will play against Rivne and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Niko Basket: J.Simpson 22+3reb+1ast, K.Yaroslav 11+5reb+1ast, S.Maksym 9+4reb+1ast, B.Lukian 9+3reb+8ast, V.Artem 8+3reb+1ast, B.Nikita 4+1reb
Kyiv Basket: C.Clardy 22+1reb+10ast, M.Javion 20+10reb+7ast, B.Andrii 14+1reb, K.Ilya 13+5reb+1ast, L.Dmytro 11+5reb, H.Eddie 10+5reb+3ast

Hoverla - Khmelnytskyi 79-81 OT:
But Hoverla was not able to use a home court advantage and was edged by the opponent from Khmelnytskyi 81-79 on Friday night. Hoverla trailed by 13 points after 3 quarters before a 25-12 run in the last quarter tied the game at the end of regular time, But then they lost eventually overtime period 6-8. Khmelnytskyi outrebounded Hoverla 57-39 including a 37-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Khmelnytskyi made 12 blocks. The best player for the winners was American power forward Zach Loveday (213, college: Charleston) who scored 17 points, 22 rebounds and 5 blocks. His fellow American import Derick Newton (198-1995, college: Stetson) chipped in 15 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was point guard Sergiy Startsev (190-1997, agency: BIG) who recorded 21 points and 4 steals and guard Pavlo Horobchenko (190-2002) added 17 points and 4 steals respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Khmelnytskyi will meet at home K.Sokoly (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Hoverla will play against Kyiv Basket and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Hoverla: S.Startsev 21+3reb+3ast, H.Pavlo 17+4reb+3ast, R.Howard 11+6reb+2ast, L.Stepan 11+7reb, R.Morozov 7+3reb, S.Kuznetsov 6+6reb+4ast
Khmelnytskyi: Z.Loveday 17+22reb+1ast, N.Derick 15+6reb+1ast, V.Melnyk 12+5reb+1ast, L.Luqman 10+5reb+3ast, L.Dmitry 9+8reb, R.Potieev 7+2reb+1ast

K.Sokoly - Niko Basket 82-65:
Not a big story in a game in Kharkiv where Niko Basket (1-4) was defeated by K.Sokoly (4-3) 82-65 on Saturday. It was a very close game until the last quarter, when K.Sokoly's pressure prevailed and they won that period 25-14 extending their advantage to 17 points. K.Sokoly outrebounded Niko Basket 47-32 including a 20-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was forward Dmytro Kleban (207-2000, agency: BIG) who had a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds. International point guard Yehor Sushkin (188-2006) chipped in 20 points and 4 assists. Four K.Sokoly players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international point guard Maksym Safonov (190-2003) who recorded 15 points and 4 assists and guard Bogdan Lukian (183-1999) added 7 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. K.Sokoly will meet Khmelnytskyi (#6) on the road in the next round. Niko Basket will play against Rivne (#2) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Niko Basket: S.Maksym 15+2reb+4ast, J.Simpson 12+3reb+1ast, K.Yaroslav 8+3reb+2ast, B.Lukian 7+7reb+6ast, V.Vitaliy 7+3reb, S.Danylo 5
K.Sokoly: S.Yehor 20+4reb+4ast, K.Dmytro 19+11reb+1ast, S.Olexiy 15+6reb+1ast, A.Romanytsia 13+9reb+1ast, K.Denys 6+5reb+2ast, S.Maksim 4+9reb+1ast

Volyn - Dnipro 68-70:
Everything went according to plan in Lutsk where Dnipro (4-1) edged Volyn (2-5) 70-68 on Saturday. Volyn was trailing by 1 point at halftime but managed to get 11-point lead after three quarters before a 23-10 charge of Dnipro, which allowed them to win the game. The best player for the winners was point guard Maksym Zakurdaiev (196-1993) who scored 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. Yevhenii Sorochan (197-2000) chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds. Four Dnipro players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Taj Thweatt (201-2001, college: Coppin St.) who recorded a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import point guard Braxton Lovings (183-1999, college: Huston-Tillotson) added 13 points respectively. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Dnipro will meet at home Zaporizhye in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Volyn will play against Cherkasy (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Volyn: T.Thweatt 19+11reb+2ast, B.Lovings 13+2reb+2ast, M.Nikitin 7+5reb, I.Klimov 6, K.Rostyslav 6+2reb, T.Sviatoslav 6+6reb+2ast
Dnipro: M.Zakurdaiev 17+6reb+4ast, S.Yevhenii 15+7reb, T.Stanislav 12+7reb+1ast, K.Volodymyr 11+5reb+3ast, D.Ihor 5, R.Bondarchuk 5+1reb+1ast

Kyiv Basket - Cherkasy 93-61:
There was no surprise when Cherkasy (1-4) was outplayed on the road by Kyiv Basket (5-2) 93-61 on Saturday. The game without a history. Kyiv Basket led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated on the defensive end, holding Cherkasy to just 4 points in first quarter. Kyiv Basket forced 20 Cherkasy turnovers and outrebounded them 45-26 including a 34-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kyiv Basket looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard Cam Clardy (183, college: Sul Ross St.) who scored 20 points and 5 assists. Forward Ilya Kabatsiura (198-1996) chipped in 9 points and 12 rebounds. Kyiv Basket's coach Valeriy Plehanov felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Yevgen Korovyakov (199-1988, agency: BIG) who recorded a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and ex-international swingman Kyrylo Marchenko (193-1997) added 11 points respectively. Kyiv Basket will meet Hoverla (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Cherkasy will play against Volyn and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cherkasy: Y.Korovyakov 20+10reb+4ast, K.Marchenko 11+3reb+2ast, M.Golenkov 10+3reb+3ast, I.Upyr 9+3reb+4ast, J.Talley 7+2ast, V.Mykola 3+3reb
Kyiv Basket: C.Clardy 20+3reb+5ast, R.Kolawole 15+2reb+4ast, L.Dmytro 9+4reb+1ast, K.Ilya 9+12reb, M.Danylo 8+2reb+3ast, M.Javion 8+2reb+4ast

Rivne - Zaporizhye 81-86:
The game between Top Four teams took place in Rivne. host Rivne (5-2) lost to Zaporizhye (5-2) 86-81. The guests took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Rivne won fourth quarter 22-18. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Zaporizhye made 21-of-23 charity shots (91.3 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for American Julian Powell (206-1996, college: Lincoln) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Guard Dmitry Martynov (191-2002) accounted for 23 points and 5 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) for the winning side. Guard Oleksandr Ponosov (186-2004, agency: BIG) came up with 18 points and 4 assists and American guard Demarius Jacobs (188-1998, college: Ball St.) added 17 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) respectively for Rivne in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Zaporizhye will play against Dnipro (#4) on the road in the next round. Rivne will play against Niko Basket in Mykolaiv and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Rivne: O.Ponosov 18+1reb+4ast, D.Jacobs 17+3ast, T.Dmytro 13+2reb, B.JaVon 11+6reb+1ast, T.Dmytro 6+5reb+5ast, S.Valentyn 5+3reb+3ast
Zaporizhye: D.Martynov 23+3reb+5ast, I.Jonathan 17+5reb, P.Julian 17+13reb+2ast, V.Nikolaichuk 12+6reb+1ast, B.Anton 9+3reb+2ast, P.Oleksandr 6+1reb+1ast

K.Sokoly - Cherkasy 105-57:
No shocking result in a game in Kharkiv where K.Sokoly (4-3) outleveled Cherkasy (1-4) 105-57 on Sunday. The game without a history. K.Sokoly led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. K.Sokoly outrebounded Cherkasy 45-23 including a 34-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. K.Sokoly looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. The best player for the winners was guard Artem Romanytsia (191-2006) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 20 rebounds. Guard Olexiy Solovyov (187-1997, agency: BIG) chipped in 24 points and 5 rebounds. Five K.Sokoly players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Jordon Talley (185-1995, college: UNCW, agency: BIG) who recorded 11 points and 5 assists and forward Yevgen Korovyakov (199-1988, agency: BIG) added 9 points and 4 assists respectively. K.Sokoly will meet Khmelnytskyi (#6) on the road in the next round. Cherkasy will play against Volyn and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cherkasy: J.Talley 11+4reb+5ast, K.Marchenko 9+1reb+1ast, Y.Korovyakov 9+3reb+4ast, I.Upyr 7+1reb+3ast, M.Golenkov 7+5reb+1ast, M.Fesun 6+2reb+1ast
K.Sokoly: S.Olexiy 24+5reb+2ast, A.Romanytsia 17+20reb+3ast, K.Dmytro 16+4reb+1ast, S.Yehor 14+2reb+11ast, A.Khokhonyk 10+6reb+7ast, S.Maksim 7+4reb+3ast

Volyn - Zaporizhye 57-76:
Zaporizhye (5-2) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed Volyn (2-5) in Lutsk 76-57. The guests trailed by 10 points after first quarter, but they stormed back and won the game by 19 points. Zaporizhye dominated on the defensive end, holding Volyn to just 6 points in fourth quarter. They made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Volyn 48-32 including 33 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American forward Jonathan Ileleji (193-2000, college: Bethesda) who scored 26 points and 7 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). His fellow American import Julian Powell (206-1996, college: Lincoln) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 15 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was center Sviatoslav Tovkach (203-2002) who recorded 7 points and 12 rebounds and forward Maxim Nikitin (201-1989, agency: BIG) added 14 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Volyn's coach Nikita Voievoda tested ten players seeing no chance for a win. Zaporizhye will meet Dnipro (#4) on the road in the next round. Volyn will play against Cherkasy and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Volyn: M.Nikitin 14+6reb, B.Lovings 11+2reb+2ast, I.Klimov 9+2reb+2ast, N.Korol 8+2reb+2ast, T.Sviatoslav 7+12reb+1ast, B.Mykyta 6+3reb+4ast
Zaporizhye: I.Jonathan 26+7reb+2ast, P.Julian 12+15reb, V.Nikolaichuk 9+8reb+1ast, D.Martynov 9+3reb+2ast, B.Anton 8+10reb+3ast, P.Oleksandr 6+3reb+1ast

Niko Basket - Volyn 92-81:
The game between closely ranked teams ended with Volyn's (2-5) road loss to Niko Basket (1-4) 81-92 on Friday. The hosts trailed by 4 points after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 3-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 92-81. The best player for the winners was American guard Jamir Simpson (196, college: UTSA) who scored 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Guard Bogdan Lukian (183-1999) chipped in 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Rostyslav Kabanov (191-2004) who recorded 17 points and 7 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) and American point guard Braxton Lovings (183-1999, college: Huston-Tillotson) added 13 points and 4 assists respectively. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Niko Basket will meet at home Rivne in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Volyn will play against Cherkasy (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Volyn: K.Rostyslav 17+7reb, B.Lovings 13+3reb+4ast, M.Nikitin 12+7reb+1ast, I.Klimov 11+3reb+2ast, N.Korol 10+4reb+2ast, B.Mykyta 8+6reb+1ast
Niko Basket: S.Jamir 22+5reb+5ast, L.Bogdan 19+5reb+6ast, M.Safonov 16+7reb+2ast, Y.Karpiuk 13+10reb, A.Vodolazsky 12+3reb+2ast, D.Stryzhak 7+3reb+3ast

Cherkasy - Rivne 64-76:
Rather predictable result when Rivne (5-2) defeated on the road Cherkasy (1-4) 76-64 on Friday. The game was mostly controlled by Rivne. Cherkasy managed to win fourth quarter 15-6. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Rivne made 24-of-25 free shots (96.0 percent) during the game. Rivne outrebounded Cherkasy 44-32 including 29 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American guard Demarius Jacobs (188-1998, college: Ball St.) who scored 14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Canadian-American power forward Tarig Eisa (203-1998, college: Regis Univ.) chipped in 22 points and 5 rebounds. Five Rivne players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Jordon Talley (185-1995, college: UNCW, agency: BIG) who recorded 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) and guard Illia Upyr (187-2006, agency: BIG) added 9 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists respectively. Cherkasy's coach Dmytro Nagornyi let to play twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Rivne will meet Niko Basket (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Cherkasy will play against Volyn and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cherkasy: M.Golenkov 12+2reb, J.Talley 11+6reb+5ast, I.Upyr 9+7reb+5ast, J.Komagum 8+9reb+2ast, B.Tolmachov 6, K.Marchenko 5+2reb+3ast
Rivne: E.Tarig 22+5reb, J.Demarius 14+8reb+5ast, V.Bykov 12+5reb+3ast, J.Benson 11+14reb+1ast, D.Trykolenko 10+5reb, D.Tymoshchuk 4+2reb+2ast

Hoverla - K.Sokoly 69-73 OT:
Not a big story in a game in Ivano-Frankivsk where Hoverla (1-4) was defeated by K.Sokoly (4-3) 73-69 on Friday. Hoverla was trailing by 9 points at halftime but managed to get 5-point lead after three quarters before a 18-13 charge of K.Sokoly, which allowed them to tie the game at the end of regular time. They were better in overtime eventually winning that period 11-7. K.Sokoly outrebounded Hoverla 50-37 including 16 on the offensive glass. The best player for the winners was Denys Klevzunyk (195-2000, agency: BIG) who scored 14 points and 9 rebounds. International point guard Yehor Sushkin (188-2006) chipped in 11 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Four K.Sokoly players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Raylon Howard (193-1998, college: St.Mary's, KS) who recorded 20 points and 9 rebounds and point guard Sergiy Startsev (190-1997, agency: BIG) added 20 points and 6 rebounds respectively. K.Sokoly will meet Khmelnytskyi (#6) on the road in the next round. Hoverla will play against Kyiv Basket and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Hoverla: S.Startsev 20+6reb+3ast, R.Howard 20+9reb+1ast, H.Pavlo 15+1reb+3ast, D.Illya 7+2reb, D.Oleksandr 2+9reb, S.Kuznetsov 2+2reb
K.Sokoly: S.Olexiy 15+6reb, K.Dmytro 15+5reb, K.Denys 14+9reb+1ast, S.Yehor 11+8reb+5ast, A.Romanytsia 8+4reb+1ast, A.Khokhonyk 4+6reb+5ast

Khmelnytskyi - Kyiv Basket 51-72:
Everything went according to plan when Kyiv Basket (5-2) outscored on the road Khmelnytskyi (2-3) 72-51 on Friday. The guests trailed by 10 points after first quarter, but they stormed back and won the game by 21 points. Kyiv Basket dominated on the defensive end, holding Khmelnytskyi to just 7 points in second quarter. The best player for the winners was Nazar Kholod (203-2004, agency: BIG) who scored 17 points and 5 rebounds. American guard Javion May (188-1999, college: SHSU) chipped in 7 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Zach Loveday (213, college: Charleston) who recorded a double-double by scoring 10 points, 17 rebounds and 7 blocks and the other American import Derick Newton (198-1995, college: Stetson) added 13 points and 9 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. Kyiv Basket will meet Hoverla (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Khmelnytskyi will play against K.Sokoly and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Khmelnytskyi: D.Newton 13+9reb+1ast, L.Lundy 10+2reb+3ast, L.Zach 10+17reb, P.Roman 7+1reb+1ast, M.Vladislav 5+2reb+1ast, H.Maksym 4+3reb
Kyiv Basket: K.Nazar 17+5reb+1ast, H.Eddie 12+3reb+1ast, K.Ilya 11+5reb, M.Javion 7+8reb+4ast, C.Clardy 6+4reb+4ast, M.Rudyi 6+7reb+1ast