Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

Dru Kuxhausen

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Fifth-ranked Cactus (10-10) were very close to win a game against first ranked Olimpi (16-4) in Tbilisi on Friday. Olimpi managed to secure only two-point victory 78-76. However their fans expected much easier game. The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning the initial quarter 25-19. But Cactus won second period 22-18. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Strangely Cactus outrebounded Olimpi 47-27 including a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Dru Kuxhausen (183-1998, college: N.Colorado) who helped to win the game recording 17 points. The other American import guard Aubrey McAlpine (196-1989, college: RMU, agency: Interperformances) contributed with 17 points for the winners. Forward Beqa Lomashvili (195-1999) replied with 14 points and 9 rebounds for Cactus. Olimpi maintains first position with 16-4 record. Cactus at the other side keep the fifth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Batumi and Delta.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Kavkasia (13-7) against seventh ranked Batumi (10-10) on Thursday night. Visiting Kavkasia was crushed by Batumi in Batumi 96-67. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Kavkasia. American guard Kyle Riddley (192-1996, college: Pfeiffer) scored 21 points, 6 assists and 4 steals (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and Jordan Session chipped in 21 points during the contest. At the losing side American guard Chris McNeal (185-1997, college: Cincinnati) responded with 12 points and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Batumi moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Cactus and Delta. Newly promoted Kavkasia keeps the third position with seven games lost.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Rustavi (14-6) against fourth ranked TSU (12-8) on Friday night. Visiting Rustavi was crushed by TSU in Tbilisi 115-95. Corey Bowen notched 28 points and 9 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) to lead the effort. TSU’s coach Leqso Lapanashvili used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 32 points and 11 rebounds (on 14-of-18 shooting from the field) by Akaki Dvalishvili did not help to save the game for Rustavi. TSU have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 12-8 record. Loser Rustavi keeps the second place with six games lost.

Other games in round 22 were not that significant. Rustavi was beaten by Olimpi on the road 93-82. Kutaisi lost to Delta on its own court 83-93. Titebi managed to outperform Vera in Tbilisi 122-106.
The most impressive performance of 22th round was 13 points, 5 rebounds and 16 assists by Givi Bakradze of Olimpi.

Olimpi – Rustavi 93-82

The game between closely ranked teams ended with first ranked Olimpi‘s (16-4) home victory over their biggest opponent Rustavi (14-6) in Tbilisi 93-82 on Monday. The game was mostly controlled by Olimpi. Rustavi managed to win second period 22-18. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Olimpi looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The former international point guard Givi Bakradze (180-1991, agency: Interperformances) notched a double-double by scoring 13 points, 5 rebounds and 16 assists to lead the effort and forward Luka Kalatozishvili (198-1999) supported him with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists by American center Avery Diggs (208, college: Chattanooga, agency: Players Group) did not help to save the game for Rustavi. His fellow American import guard Tray Croft (185-1997, college: UW-Parkside) added 12 points and 10 rebounds for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Olimpi maintains first position with 16-4 record. Loser Rustavi keeps the second place with six games lost.
Top scorers:
Olimpi: D.Kuxhausen 20+2reb+2ast, L.Kalatozishvili 19+8reb+4ast, L.Acliese III 15+9reb+2ast, G.Bakradze 13+5reb+16ast, A.McAlpine 10+4reb+1ast, G.Turdziladze 9+9reb+3ast
Rustavi: A.Diggs 15+8reb+6ast, L.Bulashvili 14+4reb+2ast, N.Anzori 13+2reb, R.Rogava 13+3reb+7ast, T.Croft 12+10reb+3ast, A.Dvalishvili 6+11reb+2ast

gschID: 1072052

Kutaisi – Delta 83-93

Rather expected game when 8th ranked Kutaisi (8-12) lost at home to sixth ranked Delta (10-10) 93-83 on Wednesday. The game was mostly controlled by Delta. Kutaisi managed to win fourth quarter 18-16. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. The former international point guard Otar Pkhakadze (188-1993, college: Simpson, CA) notched 26 points and 6 assists to lead the effort and American Derick Newton (198-1995, college: Stetson) supported him with 23 points and 8 rebounds. Five Delta players scored in double figures. Even 19 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals by the former international point guard Luka Maziashvili (187-2000, college: UMass Lowell) did not help to save the game for Kutaisi. The former international swingman Kakhaber Jintcharadze (196-1993, agency: BIG) added 25 points (made all of his seven free throws) for lost side. Kutaisi’s coach Kote Tugushi rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Delta moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Cactus and Batumi. Defending champion Kutaisi keeps the eighth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Mega.
Top scorers:
Delta: O.Pkhakadze 26+3reb+6ast, D.Newton 23+8reb+2ast, A.Toomer 14+10reb+6ast, G.Baqradze 13+4reb+3ast, I.Sulkhanishvili 11+1reb+2ast, V.Kadaria 6+1reb
Kutaisi: K.Jintcharadze 25+4reb+1ast, L.Maziashvili 19+6reb+9ast, A.Coleman 15+6reb, L.Grdzelidze 7+2reb+1ast, J.Ray 7+7reb+7ast, B.Baqar 5+2reb

gschID: 1057853

Batumi – Kavkasia 96-67

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Kavkasia (13-7) against seventh ranked Batumi (10-10) on Thursday night. Visiting Kavkasia was crushed by Batumi in Batumi 96-67. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Kavkasia. The game was mostly controlled by Batumi. Kavkasia was better in second period 21-16. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Batumi dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Kavkasia’s 30. They outrebounded Kavkasia 43-23 including a 31-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Batumi players were unselfish on offense dishing 29 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Kavkasia’s players. American guard Kyle Riddley (192-1996, college: Pfeiffer) scored 21 points, 6 assists and 4 steals (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import power forward Jordan Session (203-1996, college: Georgia St.) chipped in 21 points during the contest. At the losing side American guard Chris McNeal (185-1997, college: Cincinnati) responded with 12 points and 4 assists and the former international power forward Ilia Londaridze (205-1989) scored 10 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Batumi moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Cactus and Delta. Newly promoted Kavkasia keeps the third position with seven games lost.
Top scorers:
Batumi: J.Session 21+4reb+1ast, K.Riddley 21+1reb+6ast, S.Lobjanidze 10+4reb+4ast, O.Giorgi 8+3reb+3ast, I.Gognadze 7+11reb+3ast, L.Mikeladze 7+4reb+2ast
Kavkasia: C.McNeal 12+1reb+4ast, G.Nikoloz 11+2reb+1ast, I.Londaridze 10+3reb+2ast, J.Forrest 9+2reb+2ast, J.Nika 6, G.Levan 5

gschID: 1057854

Vera – Titebi 106-122

The game between closely ranked teams ended with tenth ranked Titebi‘s (7-13) road victory over bottom-ranked Vera (2-18) in Tbilisi 122-106 on Friday. The game was mostly controlled by Titebi. Vera managed to win fourth quarter 33-28. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded Vera 54-35 including a 19-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Titebi looked well-organized offensively handing out 37 assists comparing to just 24 passes made by Vera’s players. American guard Kendrick Thompson (193-1986, college: Northeastern St.) notched a triple-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists to lead the effort and the other American import guard Brian Dawson (188, college: Regis Univ.) supported him with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Titebi’s coach Besik Lezhava used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 37 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds by American guard Kaiden Rice (201, college: Georgetown) did not help to save the game for Vera. The former international guard Luka Zakradze (193-1996) added 25 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Five Titebi and four Vera players scored in double figures. Titebi maintains tenth position with 7-13 record. Vera lost thirteenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 18 lost games.
Top scorers:
Titebi: B.Dawson 24+8reb+5ast, S.Sanadze 24+6reb+6ast, K.Thompson 18+10reb+15ast, D.Bell 17+9reb+5ast, P.Levan 11+6reb, U.Michael 10+6reb+1ast
Vera: K.Rice 37+9reb, L.Zakradze 25+7reb+4ast, K.Saba 12+6reb+8ast, B.Tortladze 10+4reb, G.Vakhania 10+1reb+3ast, G.Vakhtang 5+6reb+4ast

gschID: 1057855

TSU – Rustavi 115-95

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Rustavi (14-6) against fourth ranked TSU (12-8) on Friday night. Visiting Rustavi was crushed by TSU in Tbilisi 115-95. The hosts trailed by 13 points after first quarter, but they stormed back winning two of next three quarters and won the game by 20 points. TSU dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Rustavi’s 54. TSU had a 32-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. American power forward Corey Bowen (206-1999, college: Point, GA) notched 28 points and 9 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and the other American import guard Djimon Henson (193-1998, college: Morehead St.) supported him with 19 points and 4 assists. TSU’s coach Leqso Lapanashvili used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 32 points and 11 rebounds (on 14-of-18 shooting from the field) by the former international Akaki Dvalishvili (207-1991) did not help to save the game for Rustavi. The former international point guard Luka Bulashvili (192-1998) added 23 points, 6 assists and 5 steals for lost side. Five Rustavi players scored in double figures. TSU have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 12-8 record. Loser Rustavi keeps the second place with six games lost.
Top scorers:
TSU: C.Bowen 28+9reb, D.Henson 19+4reb+4ast, I.Megeneishvili 14+5reb+4ast, B.Bekauri 11+2reb+1ast, N.Gogodze 9+2reb+1ast, N.Darbaidze 9+3reb+3ast
Rustavi: A.Dvalishvili 32+11reb+2ast, L.Bulashvili 23+4reb+6ast, R.Rogava 16+1reb+9ast, L.Davit 12+2reb+1ast, L.Babilodze 10+5reb+3ast, N.Anzori 2+6reb+3ast