BC "Prometey" - BC "VEF Riga" (Latvia) - 81:71 (21:16, 15:16, 28:14, 17:25). October 15. Latvian-Estonian basketball league Pafbet. 3rd round. Riga (Latvia). Olympic Centre Rimi. 522 viewers.
BC "Prometey": Kennedy* (2), Stephens* (28 + 6 rebounds + 2 steals), Hogue* (0), Clavell* (9 + 8 assists), Lukashov*, captain (4), Agada (2) , Balvin (15), Sydorov (12), Lypovyy (0), Petrov (0), Sanon (9). Tkachenko (0).
BC "VEF Riga" (Latvia): Abrams* (10), Zoriks* (15 + 3 assists + 2 steals), Miska* (3), Kruminsh* (7), Brooks* (6 + 7 rebounds), Berzinsh ( 6), Gromovs (8), Ate (14 + 8 rebounds), Hamilton (2), Putans (0), Butirins (0), Pinnis (0)
In their third confrontation in the LEBL “Prometey” had to deal with the rival of a higher class than the previous two. Probably, it was possible to assume that the representative of the Latvian capital “VEF Riga” is at the same level with Lithuanian “Lietkabelis”, who was the rival of the Ronen Ginzburg’s team in the starting match of the 7DAYS EuroCup. Therefore, even if the “red and white” were in the status of a favourite in the today’s duel, it was not so clear.
To some extent, these assumptions were justified, though “Prometey” established their essential dominating from the first minutes using mainly the advantage in speed. DJ Stephens ended the majority of the quick attacks (8 points in the starting quarter). At the end of the 6th minute, the handicap of “Prometey” was almost a dozen points (15:6). However, Ronen Ginzburg wards did not manage to develop their advantage. The point guard Kristers Zorkis was the undeniable leader in the opponent’s roster. He not only skilfully coordinated the partners’ actions but also scored himself. The accurate shot from the mid-range by the Latvian National team’s player in the last minute of the first quarter reduced the gap to two points for VEF (16:18). It was “Prometey”, who put a full stop in this 10-minute segment, though, when a few minutes before the siren, Illia Sydorov hit from the arc.
The debut of the next 10-minute segment was successful for Issuf Sanon – 5 points. Unfortunately, their efforts were not enough to break away from the competitor. Moreover, there was a gap of just one point between the teams, but “Prometey” retained the lead and even extended it thanks to the productiveness of Stephens (including his crazy alley-oop), Clavell and Sydorov.
Settling the issue regarding the winner was postponed by teams to the second half of the game. At the start of the third 10-minute segment started to successfully attack Prometey’s rim from the perimeter (Miska, Abrams). The second accurate three-pointer led the team from Riga ahead (40:38) for the first time in the game. Literally immediately Caleb Agada levelled the score, after which VEF registered their lead again. The dominance in the score was given back to “Prometey” thanks to alley-oop by Sydorov and Stephens and and-one by Sanon. In the second half of this quarter, “Prometey” finally started running ahead. After the own steal, wonderful this evening DJ Stephens (28 points, 6 rebounds, PE 36) set the handicap at the mark of +10 for “Prometey”; and before the last quarter, this advantage was of 18 points for the representative of Ukraine.
All emphasises in this match were placed in the third quarter. In the last one, “Prometey” confidently kept all events on the court under control, allowing the rivals to win only this segment, However, there was no intrigue in the confrontation any more. “Prometey” won 81:71, and already tomorrow at 18:30, they will hold another LEBL match. The opponent is the Estonian club “Rakvere Tarvas”.
Natural mineral water "Vitautas" is an official hydration partner of BC "Prometey"
