Sweden – Basketligan Round 1: Norrkoping Dolphins lose to Sodertalje Kings

ThomasMassamba The Regular Season in Basketligan just started. The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Norrkoping Dolphins (0-1) on the court of Sodertalje Kings on Saturday night. Visitors were rolled over by Sodertalje Kings 79-59. It was a very close game until the last quarter, when Sodertalje Kings’s pressure prevailed and they won that period 26-10 extending their advantage to 20 points. They made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The former international point guard Thomas Massamba (183-85, agency: Octagon Europe) stepped up and scored 11 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and Croatia forward Toni Bizaca (202-82, agency: XL Basketball Agency) chipped in 13 points. At the losing side American forward Cole Darling (203-91, college: Wright St., agency: Dynamics Global Management) responded with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sodertalje Kings is looking forward to face BC Lulea on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Norrkoping Dolphins will have a break next round. Very significant was Nassjo’s 78-68 road victory against Malbas. American Auston Barnes (203-91, college: Bradley) nailed 24 points (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winning side and William Gutenius accounted for 19 points. American guard Adrian Rodgers (194-92, college: Southern, agency: Pro Partner Sports Management) came up with 23 points for Malbas in the defeat. Nassjo will play against KFUM Jamtland (#6) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Malbas will play against Uppsala Basket and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Quite upsetting was Umea’s 39-point home defeat in a game versus BC Lulea who smashed hosts Quinton Upshur fired 18 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. BC Lulea’s coach Peter Oqvist felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. George Valentine produced 8 points and 11 rebounds for lost side. BC Lulea will meet at home Sodertalje Kings (#4) in the next round. Umea will play against Boras Basket (#2) and hope to win that game. Host Boras Basket (1-0) defeated KFUM Jamtland (0-1) 77-71. Worth to mention a great performance of Shaquille Hines who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 6 rebounds. Boras Basket’s next round opponent will be Umea (#9) at home and are hoping to win another game. KFUM Jamtland will play against Nassjo and hope to win that game. Sodertalje – Norrkoping 79-59The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Norrkoping Dolphins (0-1) on the court of Sodertalje Kings on Saturday night. Visitors were rolled over by Sodertalje Kings 79-59. It was a very close game until the last quarter, when Sodertalje Kings’s pressure …

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