Higher League Round 11: Khmelnytskyi hand first loss to Rivne

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in Higher League. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Rivne (9-1) on the court of third ranked Khmelnytskyi on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by Khmelnytskyi 89-77. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Rivne. The game was mostly controlled by Khmelnytskyi. Rivne managed to win third quarter 27-25. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Khmelnytskyi looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Rivne's players. Forward Anton Buts (203-88, agency: BIG) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists. Guard Nikola Polyulyak (192-90) contributed with 19 points, 6 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Nigerian-Russian center Aleksey Adediran (206-82, college: Binghamton, agency: BIG) answered with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 15 rebounds for Rivne. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Newly promoted Khmelnytskyi maintains third place with 6-4 record behind leader Rivne. Rivne at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with Stariy Lutsk. Khmelnytskyi are looking forward to face Hoverla (#6) in Ivano-Frankivsk in the next round. Rivne will play at home against the league's second-placed Stariy Lutsk (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Odessa. Sixth ranked BIPA O. (3-7) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 5th ranked Hoverla (3-7) 84-81 in the game for the fifth place. It was a great evening for forward Mykhaylo Volchanov (199-93) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. Ilya Kabatsiura helped adding 11 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks. BIPA O.'s coach Dmytro Shalamov allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Guard Oleksandr Shostuha (191-84, agency: BIG) responded with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. BIPA O. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Hoverla. BIPA O. will play against higher ranked Khimik-2 (#4) in Yuzhny in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Hoverla will play at home against Khmelnytskyi and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Prometey-2 (6-2) which played road game in Cherkasy against 4th placed Ch.Mavpy 2 (3-5). Second ranked Prometey-2 managed to get a 13-point victory 78-65. It was an exceptional evening for Bohdan Bryniuk who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Oleh Bondarenko came up with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for Ch.Mavpy 2 in the defeat. Ch.Mavpy 2's coach Georgi Stupenchuk rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Prometey-2 have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain second place with 6-2 record behind leader Rivne. Ch.Mavpy 2 lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with five games lost. Prometey-2 will meet league's leader Mariupol on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ch.Mavpy 2 will play against SumDU in Sumy and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 11: Prometey-2 beat Ch.Mavpy 2 on the road 85-75. Khimik-2 won against Politekhn.Lvov on its own court 74-59. Rivne managed to outperform Khmelnytskyi in a road game 97-92. BIPA O. managed to beat Hoverla at home 90-72. Politekhn.Lvov was crushed by Khimik-2 on the opponent's court 92-68.
The most impressive performance of 11th round was 24 points and 14 rebounds by Nikita Bezyma of Khimik-2.

Ch.Mavpy 2 - Prometey-2 65-78

An interesting game for Prometey-2 (6-2) which played road game in Cherkasy against 4th placed Ch.Mavpy 2 (3-5). Second ranked Prometey-2 managed to get a 13-point victory 78-65. The game was mostly controlled by Prometey-2. Ch.Mavpy 2 managed to win second period 19-12. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Prometey-2 forced 22 Ch.Mavpy 2 turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for forward Bohdan Bryniuk (201-3) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Guard Pavlo Gorobchenko (190-2) accounted for 14 points and 4 assists for the winning side. Four Prometey-2 players scored in double figures. Oleh Bondarenko (191-99) came up with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and center Sergii Skira (210-0) added 15 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Ch.Mavpy 2 in the defeat. Ch.Mavpy 2's coach Georgi Stupenchuk rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Prometey-2 have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain second place with 6-2 record behind leader Rivne. Ch.Mavpy 2 lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with five games lost. Prometey-2 will meet league's leader Mariupol on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ch.Mavpy 2 will play against SumDU in Sumy and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Prometey-2: B.Bohdan 17+10reb+2ast, G.Pavlo 14+4reb+4ast, P.Daniil 12+7reb+3ast, K.Igor 12+5reb+4ast, B.Maksym 8+2reb+2ast, G.Danilo 7+1reb
Ch.Mavpy 2: O.Bondarenko 18+5reb+6ast, S.Skira 15+6reb, S.Igor 9+9reb+2ast, A.Nazarenko 7+2reb, H.Nazar 5+3reb, T.Ivan 4+3reb

BIPA O. - Hoverla 84-81

Important game to mention about took place in Odessa. Sixth ranked BIPA O. (3-7) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 5th ranked Hoverla (3-7) 84-81 in the game for the fifth place. The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Hoverla won fourth quarter 21-11. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. BIPA O. dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Hoverla's 28. BIPA O. forced 20 Hoverla turnovers and outrebounded them 61-41 including 19 on the offensive glass. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. BIPA O. brought some defensive toughness making 12 blocks. It was a great evening for forward Mykhaylo Volchanov (199-93) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. Forward Ilya Kabatsiura (198-96) helped adding 11 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks. Five BIPA O. players scored in double figures. BIPA O.'s coach Dmytro Shalamov allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Guard Oleksandr Shostuha (191-84, agency: BIG) responded with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals and point guard Andriy Kalashnikov (175-89) scored 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. BIPA O. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Hoverla. BIPA O. will play against higher ranked Khimik-2 (#4) in Yuzhny in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Hoverla will play at home against Khmelnytskyi and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
BIPA O.: M.Volchanov 22+17reb+4ast, M.Vladyslav 13+8reb+4ast, E.Tkachenko 12+7reb, S.Dmytro 11+4reb+6ast, I.Kabatsiura 11+10reb+6ast, L.Artem 8+4reb+1ast
Hoverla: O.Shostuha 22+5reb+5ast, A.Kalashnikov 12+7reb+5ast, A.Loniuk 11+2reb, L.Stepan 9+12reb+2ast, T.Maksym 8+4reb+2ast, S.Avrakhov 7+4reb+1ast

Ch.Mavpy 2 - Prometey-2 75-85

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Prometey-2 (6-2) beat 4th placed Ch.Mavpy 2 (3-5) in Cherkasy 85-75 on Saturday. The guests were tied at the half but managed to speed up in last two quarters eventually winning the game. It was an exceptional evening for guard Igor Klimov (190-1) who led the winners and scored 25 points and 5 rebounds. Forward Bohdan Bryniuk (201-3) accounted for 14 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side. Forward Vladyslav Semerych (205-4) came up with 20 points and 7 rebounds and Oleh Bondarenko (191-99) added 19 points and 5 assists respectively for Ch.Mavpy 2 in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Prometey-2 have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain second place with 6-2 record behind leader Rivne. Ch.Mavpy 2 lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with five games lost. Prometey-2 will meet league's leader Mariupol on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ch.Mavpy 2 will play against SumDU in Sumy and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Prometey-2: K.Igor 25+5reb+2ast, G.Pavlo 18+1reb+4ast, B.Bohdan 14+10reb+3ast, P.Daniil 13+7reb+2ast, V.Orzul 4+7reb+5ast, B.Mykhaylo 4+2reb+1ast
Ch.Mavpy 2: S.Vladyslav 20+7reb+2ast, O.Bondarenko 19+3reb+5ast, Z.Illia 12+3reb+4ast, H.Nazar 11+1reb+1ast, S.Igor 7+10reb+1ast, D.Nagornyi 2+2ast

Khimik-2 - Politekhn.Lvov 74-59

Rather expected game when 7th ranked Politekhn.Lvov (1-11) lost to fourth ranked Khimik-2 (5-5) in Yuzhny 59-74 on Saturday. The game was mostly controlled by Khimik-2. Politekhn.Lvov managed to win third quarter 18-15. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Khimik-2 forced 20 Politekhn.Lvov turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for forward Nikita Bezyma (193-1) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds. Point guard Iliya Shavgarov (179-0) accounted for 13 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists for the winning side. Five Khimik-2 players scored in double figures. Forward Vladyslav Zakharchuk (200-99) came up with 14 points and 9 rebounds and guard Vitaliy Kapko (186-98) added 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Politekhn.Lvov in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Khimik-2 have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 5-5 record. Politekhn.Lvov lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 11 games lost. Khimik-2 will meet at home BIPA O. (#5) in the next round. Politekhn.Lvov will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Khimik-2: N.Bezyma 17+12reb+2ast, R.Ivashov 15+2ast, D.Klevzunyk 15+10reb+1ast, I.Shavgarov 13+6reb+8ast, K.Dmytro 12+4reb+2ast, A.Rakhimshaikov 1+3reb+1ast
Politekhn.Lvov: V.Zakharchuk 14+9reb+1ast, M.Vykrykach 11+3reb+2ast, V.Kapko 10+5reb+4ast, O.Bartolomeev 8+10reb, K.Dmitry 5+6reb+3ast, K.Danylo 5+8reb+1ast

Khmelnytskyi - Rivne 92-97

Rather predictable result when first ranked Rivne (9-1) won against on the road 3rd placed Khmelnytskyi (6-4) 97-92 on Saturday. The guests trailed by 2 points after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 9-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 97-92. It was an exceptional evening for forward Oleksandr Shepelev (201-94) who led the winners and scored 20 points and 9 rebounds. Forward Artem Vodolazsky (198-92) accounted for 23 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side. Forward Anton Buts (203-88, agency: BIG) came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists and point guard Mykhailo Horobchenko (185-98, agency: BIG) added 19 points and 6 assists respectively for Khmelnytskyi in the defeat. Four Rivne and five Khmelnytskyi players scored in double figures. Rivne have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-1 record, which they share with Stariy Lutsk. Khmelnytskyi lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the third position with four games lost. Rivne will meet at home league's second-placed Stariy Lutsk in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Khmelnytskyi will play against Hoverla in Ivano-Frankivsk and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rivne: V.Artem 23+5reb+1ast, S.Oleksandr 20+9reb+3ast, A.Adediran 18+8reb+2ast, T.Dmytro 10+5reb+1ast, T.Shaniuk 9+2reb+3ast, A.Kozanchuk 7+6reb+2ast
Khmelnytskyi: M.Horobchenko 19+3reb+6ast, A.Buts 16+12reb+5ast, N.Polyulyak 15+4reb+4ast, A.Davydiuk 14+5reb, M.Mazique 11+3reb+2ast, M.Ozhegov 9+1reb

BIPA O. - Hoverla 90-72

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 5th ranked Hoverla (3-7) lost to sixth ranked BIPA O. (3-7) in Odessa 72-90 on Saturday. The hosts trailed by 2 points after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 4-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 90-72. BIPA O. looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was an exceptional evening for forward Artem Lopukhov (202-2) who led the winners and scored 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Forward Vladyslav Mustiatsa (196-2) accounted for 17 points for the winning side. BIPA O.'s coach Dmytro Shalamov used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Point guard Andriy Kalashnikov (175-89) came up with 18 points and 4 assists and center Stepan Lesyk (205-2) added 11 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Hoverla in the defeat. Five BIPA O. and four Hoverla players scored in double figures. BIPA O. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Hoverla. BIPA O. will meet higher ranked Khimik-2 (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Hoverla will play against Khmelnytskyi and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
BIPA O.: M.Vladyslav 17+3reb+3ast, E.Tkachenko 16+6reb+1ast, L.Artem 13+6reb+5ast, S.Dmytro 13+2reb+7ast, M.Volchanov 10+9reb+2ast, I.Kabatsiura 10+7reb+4ast
Hoverla: A.Kalashnikov 18+1reb+4ast, T.Maksym 13+4reb+1ast, L.Stepan 11+11reb+1ast, S.Avrakhov 10+4reb+6ast, O.Shostuha 7+7reb+1ast, D.Koshovets 5+6reb+1ast

Khimik-2 - Politekhn.Lvov 92-68

Everything went according to plan when fourth ranked Khimik-2 (5-5) outplayed 7th ranked Politekhn.Lvov (1-11) in Yuzhny 92-68 on Sunday. The game was mostly controlled by Khimik-2. Politekhn.Lvov managed to win fourth quarter 23-14. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded Politekhn.Lvov 50-37 including 19 on the offensive glass. Khimik-2 looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Khimik-2 made 7 blocks. It was an exceptional evening for forward Nikita Bezyma (193-1) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 14 rebounds. Point guard Iliya Shavgarov (179-0) accounted for 12 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists for the winning side. Four Khimik-2 players scored in double figures. Forward Danilo Kych (193-0) came up with 11 points and guard Dmitry Kachanov (177-3) added 11 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) respectively for Politekhn.Lvov in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Khimik-2 have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 5-5 record. Politekhn.Lvov lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 11 games lost. Khimik-2 will meet at home BIPA O. (#5) in the next round. Politekhn.Lvov will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Khimik-2: N.Bezyma 24+14reb+2ast, R.Ivashov 21+2reb, K.Dmytro 19+2reb, I.Shavgarov 12+6reb+8ast, D.Klevzunyk 4+1reb, P.Arseniy 4+1ast
Politekhn.Lvov: K.Danilo 11+4reb+2ast, K.Dmitry 11+4reb+2ast, O.Bartolomeev 10+5reb, M.Vykrykach 8+2reb+2ast, P.Maxim 7+6reb, S.Bohdan 6+4reb+2ast

Khmelnytskyi - Rivne 89-77

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Rivne (9-1) on the court of third ranked Khmelnytskyi on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by Khmelnytskyi 89-77. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Rivne. The game was mostly controlled by Khmelnytskyi. Rivne managed to win third quarter 27-25. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Khmelnytskyi looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Rivne's players. Forward Anton Buts (203-88, agency: BIG) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists. Guard Nikola Polyulyak (192-90) contributed with 19 points, 6 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Five Khmelnytskyi players scored in double figures. Nigerian-Russian center Aleksey Adediran (206-82, college: Binghamton, agency: BIG) answered with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 15 rebounds and forward Artem Vodolazsky (198-92) added 16 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) in the effort for Rivne. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Newly promoted Khmelnytskyi maintains third place with 6-4 record behind leader Rivne. Rivne at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with Stariy Lutsk. Khmelnytskyi are looking forward to face Hoverla (#6) in Ivano-Frankivsk in the next round. Rivne will play at home against the league's second-placed Stariy Lutsk (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Khmelnytskyi: N.Polyulyak 19+2reb+6ast, M.Horobchenko 15+1reb+2ast, A.Davydiuk 12+8reb, A.Buts 11+15reb+6ast, R.Woodson 11+2reb+6ast, M.Mazique 9+3reb+3ast
Rivne: A.Adediran 24+15reb+2ast, V.Artem 16+2reb+1ast, S.Oleksandr 11+6reb, C.Vasyl 8+4reb+2ast, T.Dmytro 8+6reb+3ast, P.Oleksandr 6+4reb+1ast