Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Ron Zipper

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Israeli Hapoel Beer Sheva as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Hapoel Beer Sheva smashed 3rd ranked Bulgarian Beroe at home 109-61. Hapoel Beer Sheva dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Beroe’s 26. They outrebounded Beroe 45-28 including 36 on the defensive glass. Hapoel Beer Sheva looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Beroe’s players. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Ron Zipper (192-2003) who helped to win the game recording 23 points. American-Nigerian guard David Efianayi (188-1995, college: Gardner-Webb) contributed with 16 points and 5 assists for the winners. Hapoel Beer Sheva’s coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Darius Hall (188, college: Bryant & Str OH) replied with 14 points and 8 rebounds for Beroe. Hapoel Beer Sheva have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Peja. Beroe at the other side dropped to the fourth place with two games lost. Beroe will play next round against Bashkimi trying to get back on the winning streak. Hapoel Beer Sheva will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Bulgarian Beroe (2-2) against fourth ranked Ukrainian Budivelnyk (2-1) on Wednesday night. Host Beroe was crushed by Budivelnyk in Stara Zagora 86-65. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Bogdan Bliznyuk (198-1995, college: EWU) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 7 assists and Alec Brown who added 15 points during the contest. At the losing side American forward Cornelius Hudson (200-1993, college: Wake Forest) responded with 21 points (made all of his seven free throws). Budivelnyk moved-up to third place. Beroe at the other side dropped to the fourth position with two games lost. Budivelnyk will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Beroe will play at home against Bashkimi (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Podgorica was also quite interesting. Top-ranked Kosovan Peja (3-0) played at the court of 6th ranked Montenegrin Milenijum (1-4). Peja defeated Milenijum 89-76 on Wednesday. The winners were led by Bradley Waldow who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Even 15 points and 5 assists by Aleksandar Bogojevic did not help to save the game for Milenijum. Milenijum’s coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. Peja have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with H.Be’er Sheva. Milenijum lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

H.Be’er Sheva – Beroe 109-61

gschID: 1047386

Beroe – Budivelnyk 65-86

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Bulgarian Beroe (2-2) against fourth ranked Ukrainian Budivelnyk (2-1) on Wednesday night. Host Beroe was crushed by Budivelnyk in Stara Zagora 86-65. Budivelnyk players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Bogdan Bliznyuk (198-1995, college: EWU) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 7 assists and American center Alec Brown (216-1992, college: Green Bay) who added 15 points during the contest. Five Budivelnyk players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Cornelius Hudson (200-1993, college: Wake Forest) responded with 21 points (made all of his seven free throws) and Nigerian-American forward TK Edogi (203-1994, college: Iona) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Budivelnyk moved-up to third place. Beroe at the other side dropped to the fourth position with two games lost. Budivelnyk will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Beroe will play at home against Bashkimi (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Beroe: C.Hudson 21+4reb+3ast, T.Edogi 15+11reb+1ast, D.Hall 13+3reb+1ast, A.Todorovic 7+1reb+1ast, M.Stefanov 3+4reb+1ast, M.Kombakov 2+1reb+3ast
Budivelnyk: B.Bliznyuk 21+2reb+7ast, A.Brown 15+4reb, P.Krutous 12+3reb+4ast, J.Grant 11+6reb+1ast, D.Tykhonov 10+2reb+2ast, A.Majauskas 8+3reb

gschID: 1047387

Milenijum – Peja 76-89

The game in Podgorica was also quite interesting. Top-ranked Kosovan Peja (3-0) played at the court of 6th ranked Montenegrin Milenijum (1-4). Peja defeated Milenijum 89-76 on Wednesday. They outrebounded Milenijum 38-27 including 28 on the defensive glass. Peja looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The winners were led by American center Bradley Waldow (208-1991, college: St.Mary’s, CA) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and the other American import Rodney Purvis (193-1994, college: UConn) supported him with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Even 15 points and 5 assists by guard Aleksandar Bogojevic (189-1986) did not help to save the game for Milenijum. Forward Balsa Mirotic (197-1997) added 11 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Four Peja and five Milenijum players scored in double figures. Milenijum’s coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. Peja have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with H.Be’er Sheva. Milenijum lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Milenijum: P.Ivanovic 15+1reb, A.Bogojevic 15+1reb+5ast, Z.Luka 13+3reb+1ast, B.Mirotic 11+8reb+1ast, M.Jovanovic 11+4reb+3ast, M.Ljujic 6+6reb+3ast
Peja: B.Waldow 22+18reb+5ast, R.Purvis 21+5reb+7ast, A.Veseli 11+4reb+1ast, I.Umipig 11+2reb+5ast, T.Adway 9+5reb, J.Tate 8+3reb+5ast