Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Thirteenth-ranked Cantabria (6-12) used its home court advantage to challenge second ranked Coruna (14-4) in Torrelavega on Saturday. The visitors from Coruna managed to secure only two-point victory 83-81. However their fans expected much easier game. Coruna outrebounded Cantabria 43-22 including a 28-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. 32 personal fouls committed by Cantabria helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a good game for American-Cuban swingman Yunio Barrueta (196-1993, college: Barry) who led his team to a victory with 21 points and 5 rebounds. Serbian center Goran Huskic (210-1992, college: Howard Col., TX) contributed with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Coruna’s coach Diego Epifanio used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Portuguese point guard Rafael Lisboa (183-1999) replied with 24 points for Cantabria. Coruna have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 14-4 record behind leader Estudiantes. Cantabria lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the twelfth place with 12 games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Coruna are looking forward to face Lleida (#6) on the road in the next round. Cantabria will play against Burgos SP (#4) and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
LEB Gold top team – Estudiantes (15-3) added another victory to their record. This time they beat twelfth ranked Real Betis (6-12) in Madrid 93-87. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Real Betis. Danish center Kevin Larsen (208-1993, college: GWU) scored 20 points and 9 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Alec Wintering chipped in 21 points and 5 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American-Dominican point guard Eddy Polanco (193-1994, college: SE Louisiana, agency: Octagon Europe) with 20 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Estudiantes have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 15-3 record. Real Betis at the other side keeps the twelfth place with 12 games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Estudiantes will play against bottom-ranked Clavijo (#18) in Logrono in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Real Betis will play at home against Castello (#16) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Oviedo (8-10) and Menorca (6-12), which took place in Mahon. Higher ranked Oviedo lost to fifteenth ranked Menorca in a road game 74-90 on Sunday. Clevin Hannah notched 23 points and 4 assists to lead the effort. Even 21 points and 6 assists by Demetric Horton did not help to save the game for Oviedo. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Menorca moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Oviedo keeps the tenth position with ten games lost. Menorca will meet higher ranked Ourense (#9) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Oviedo will play against Burgos T. and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 18: Lleida beat Burgos T. on the road 79-72. Caceres lost to Gipuzkoa on its own court 68-86. Fuenlabrada unfortunately lost to Castello in Castellon 73-77. Bottom-ranked Clavijo recorded a loss to Burgos SP at home 62-79. Alicante defeated Valladolid on the opponent’s court 84-69. Melilla was beaten by Ourense in a home game 67-81.
The most impressive performance of 18th round was 32 points and 8 rebounds by Samuel Rodriguez of Ourense.

Menorca – Oviedo 90-74

Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Oviedo (8-10) and Menorca (6-12), which took place in Mahon. Higher ranked Oviedo lost to fifteenth ranked Menorca in a road game 74-90 on Sunday. Menorca dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Oviedo‘s 34 and made 19-of-20 free shots (95.0 percent) during the game. Senegalese-American guard Clevin Hannah (179-1987, college: Wichita St.) notched 23 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and the former international center Victor Arteaga (212-1992) supported him with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Four Menorca players scored in double figures. Even 21 points and 6 assists by American guard Demetric Horton (196, college: NC A&T, agency: Players Group) did not help to save the game for Oviedo. Marc Marti (204-1997) added 14 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Menorca moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Oviedo keeps the tenth position with ten games lost. Menorca will meet higher ranked Ourense (#9) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Oviedo will play against Burgos T. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Oviedo: D.Horton 21+4reb+6ast, M.Marti 14+2reb+1ast, H.Elisias 12+3reb+1ast, A.Chapela 9+3reb+4ast, M.Sanz 8+3reb, T.Stuckman 7+1reb
Menorca: C.Hannah 23+3reb+4ast, V.Arteaga 17+11reb+1ast, O.Stevic 16+6reb, E.Demers 13+2ast, T.Digbeu 9+4reb+2ast, D.Alderete 4+1reb

gschID: 1085035

Burgos T. – Lleida 72-79

There was a small surprise when seventh ranked Lleida (12-6) beat on the road one of their biggest challengers Burgos T. (12-6) 79-72 on Saturday. Lleida made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. American guard Kenny Hasbrouck (191-1986, college: Siena, agency: Interperformances) notched 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and South Sudanese-American power forward Kur Kuath (208-1998, college: Marquette) supported him with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Even 14 points and 7 rebounds by Jacobo Diaz (206-1996, college: IUP) did not help to save the game for Burgos T.. Power forward Ramon Vila (204-1997, college: Chattanooga) added 13 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Lleida have an impressive six-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Burgos T. Lleida will meet at home league’s second-placed Coruna in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Burgos T. will play against Oviedo and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Burgos T.: J.Diaz 14+7reb+1ast, R.Vila 13+4reb, D.Bohm 12+3reb, A.Parrado 9+1reb+1ast, J.Cremo 6+7reb+2ast, P.Caio 6+1reb+6ast
Lleida: K.Kuath 14+9reb, K.Hasbrouck 13+5reb+5ast, I.Arroyo-Varela 13+3reb+1ast, J.Lobo 8+1reb+3ast, D.Simeunovic 8+7reb, C.Krutwig 7+4reb

gschID: 1085036

Caceres – Gipuzkoa 68-86

Very expected game when 16th ranked Caceres (5-13) lost at home to fourth ranked Gipuzkoa (13-5) 86-68 on Friday. Gipuzkoa had a 29-17 advantage in offensive rebounds. American guard Alex Barcello (188-1998, college: BYU) notched 20 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and Canadian-Croatian power forward Josip Vrankic (206-1998, college: Santa Clara, agency: Players Group) supported him with 11 points and 5 rebounds. Four Gipuzkoa players scored in double figures. Even 15 points by British forward Ashley Hamilton (201-1988, college: LMU) did not help to save the game for Caceres. Naturalized Colombian point guard Hansel Atencia (178-1997, college: Master’s) added 13 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Gipuzkoa moved-up to third place, which they share with Burgos SP. Loser Caceres keeps the sixteenth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Castello. Gipuzkoa will meet at home Valladolid (#7) in the next round. Caceres will play against Alicante (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Caceres: A.Hamilton 15+3reb, H.Atencia 13+2reb+1ast, R.Raitanen 9+5reb, G.Gantt 9+2reb+1ast, D.Rodriguez 8, D.Andre 6+4reb
Gipuzkoa: A.Barcello 20+8reb+1ast, A.Martinez 12+3reb, J.Vrankic 11+5reb+3ast, I.Aurrecoechea 10+4reb+1ast, X.Oroz 9+5reb+4ast, A.Marcius 8+3reb

gschID: 1085037

Castello – Fuenlabrada 77-73

There was a surprise result when seventeenth ranked Castello (5-13) won against higher ranked Fuenlabrada (6-12) in Castellon 77-73 on Friday. Point guard Josep Franch (192-1991) notched 15 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and DR Congolese center Viny Okouo (214-1997) supported him with 13 points and 8 rebounds. Four Castello players scored in double figures. Even 17 points and 5 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) by Argentinian-Italian guard Mateo Diaz (186-2002) did not help to save the game for Fuenlabrada. American forward Tanner McGrew (203-1993, college: WVWC) added 14 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Castello moved-up to sixteenth place, which they share with Caceres. Fuenlabrada lost third consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with 12 games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Castello will meet higher ranked Real Betis (#12) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Fuenlabrada will play against Melilla and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fuenlabrada: D.Mateo 17+5reb+1ast, T.McGrew 14+5reb+1ast, E.Duran 13+4reb+2ast, P.Garino 6+3reb+1ast, J.van Zegeren 6+3reb, R.Macoha 5+2reb
Castello: E.Stutz 16+4reb, J.Franch 15+2reb+4ast, V.Okouo 13+8reb, J.Faner 11+2reb+3ast, C.Hermanson 6+3reb, M.Alvaro 6+3reb+1ast

gschID: 1085038

Clavijo – Burgos SP 62-79

Not a big story in a game when 18th ranked Clavijo (3-15) lost to fourth ranked Burgos SP (13-5) in Logrono 62-79 on Sunday. Burgos SP outrebounded Clavijo 35-23 including a 28-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Argentinian swingman Gonzalo Corbalan (193-2002, college: LCU) notched 16 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and American point guard Micah Speight (178-1998, college: S.Nazarene) supported him with 17 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Five Burgos SP players scored in double figures. Even 16 points by American swingman Andre Norris (203-1994, college: Dubuque) did not help to save the game for Clavijo. Power forward Javier Nicolau (208-1997, college: UMC) added 17 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Burgos SP moved-up to third place, which they share with Gipuzkoa. Newly promoted Clavijo stay at the bottom position with 15 games lost. Burgos SP will meet at home Cantabria (#13) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Clavijo will play against the league’s leader Estudiantes (#1) in Madrid and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Clavijo: J.Nicolau 17+3reb, A.Norris 16+4reb+1ast, A.Urtasun 12+2reb+5ast, A.Moreno 6+2reb+3ast, Y.Kolo 4+4reb, J.Coffi 3+1reb+1ast
Burgos SP: M.Speight 17+2reb+3ast, G.Corbalan 16+4reb+4ast, A.Barrera 16+4reb, M.Lapornik 11+5reb+4ast, L.Fischer 10+6reb+1ast, S.Vene 7+1reb+2ast

gschID: 1085039

Estudiantes – Real Betis 93-87

LEB Gold top team – Estudiantes (15-3) added another victory to their record. This time they beat twelfth ranked Real Betis (6-12) in Madrid 93-87. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Real Betis. Estudiantes made 26-of-32 charity shots (81.3 percent) during the game. Danish center Kevin Larsen (208-1993, college: GWU) scored 20 points and 9 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American point guard Alec Wintering (183-1995, college: Portland) chipped in 21 points and 5 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American-Dominican point guard Eddy Polanco (193-1994, college: SE Louisiana, agency: Octagon Europe) with 20 points and Uruguayan forward Joaquin Rodriguez (198-1999, agency: Pro Sports) scored 14 points and 8 rebounds. Four Real Betis players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Estudiantes have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 15-3 record. Real Betis at the other side keeps the twelfth place with 12 games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Estudiantes will play against bottom-ranked Clavijo (#18) in Logrono in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Real Betis will play at home against Castello (#16) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Real Betis: E.Polanco 20+3reb+2ast, B.Frazier 16+3reb+2ast, E.Wembi 15+3reb+2ast, J.Rodriguez 14+8reb, R.Kuksiks 9+2reb, L.Faggiano 7+1reb
Estudiantes: A.Wintering 21+5ast, K.Larsen 20+9reb+2ast, J.Dee 10+2reb, T.Leimanis 10+2ast, A.Murphy 9+3reb+1ast, A.Sola 7+7reb

gschID: 1085040

Cantabria – Coruna 81-83

gschID: 1085041

Valladolid – Alicante 69-84

There was a small surprise when eighth ranked Alicante (11-7) defeated on the road 6th ranked Valladolid (11-7) 84-69 on Saturday. Alicante outrebounded Valladolid 34-20 including a 26-12 advantage in defensive rebounds. Icelandic guard Jon Axel Gudmundsson (195-1996, college: Davidson) notched 19 points and 5 assists to lead the effort and American guard Brad Davison (193-1999, college: Wisconsin) supported him with 19 points and 6 rebounds. Even 18 points and 4 assists by American guard Devin Schmidt (193-1994, college: Delta St.) did not help to save the game for Valladolid. Dutch center Lucas NGuessan (213-1997, college: ETSU) added 14 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Alicante moved-up to seventh place, which they share with defeated Valladolid. Alicante will meet at home Caceres (#17) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Valladolid will play against Gipuzkoa (#3) in San Sebastian and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Valladolid: D.Schmidt 18+2reb+4ast, K.Herve 14+1reb+1ast, L.N’Guessan 14+4reb, M.Kovacevic 12+1ast, G.Juan 4+1reb, S.De La Fuente 3+4reb+2ast
Alicante: J.Axel Gudmundsson 19+4reb+5ast, B.Davison 19+6reb+2ast, S.Barro 10+6reb, K.Kostadinov 10+6reb+1ast, K.Bercy 8+3reb, B.Richard 6+1ast

gschID: 1085042

Melilla – Ourense 67-81

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 11th ranked Melilla‘s (7-11) home loss to tenth ranked Ourense (9-9) 67-81 on Friday. Power forward Samuel Rodriguez (202-1997) notched 32 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and Lithuanian forward Mindaugas Kacinas (204-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) supported him with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Even 21 points and 5 rebounds by American Parker Van Dyke (191-1994, college: Utah) did not help to save the game for Melilla. His fellow American import forward Hasan Varence (198-1997, college: Ohio Dominican) added 16 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Ourense moved-up to ninth place. Melilla lost third consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with 11 games lost. Ourense will meet at home Menorca (#15) in the next round where they are favorite. Melilla will play against Fuenlabrada (#14) in Madrid and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Melilla: P.Van Dyke 21+5reb+3ast, H.Varence 16+8reb+1ast, S.Lepichev 8+2ast, A.Marjanovic 6+5reb, O.Alvarado 6+2reb+9ast, M.Delas 4+3reb
Ourense: S.Rodriguez 32+8reb+1ast, M.Kacinas 17+5reb+2ast, K.Jawara 10+3reb+5ast, R.Gill 6+9reb, A.Peter-McNeilly 6+2reb+1ast, J.Turner 4+3reb+7ast