Belgium – Top Division I Round 7: Oxaco loses their first game against Gistel Oostende

TimLambrecht Host teams show no mercy winning all games. There was no lack of interesting games this round. The round ended with defeat of the leader and favorites losing the games.The most surprising game was the first loss of Oxaco (6-1) on the court of thirteenth ranked Gistel Oostende on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by Gistel Oostende 86-76. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Oxaco. 28 personal fouls committed by Oxaco helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for power forward Tim Lambrecht (206-98, agency: Court Side) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 14 rebounds (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field). Abel Baptista (190-96) helped adding 15 points and 5 rebounds. At the losing side swingman Nick Celis (196-88) responded with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Gistel Oostende (2-4) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Melsele and RPC Anderlecht. Oxaco at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with Gembo BBC and Waregem. Gistel Oostende is looking forward to face higher ranked Royal Brussels (#5) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Oxaco will play against Gent Hawks (#4) and is hoping to win this game. Eighth-ranked Melsele (2-4) gave a tough game to third ranked Gembo BBC (6-1) in Borgerhout. Gembo BBC managed to secure only two-point victory 78-76. However their fans expected much easier game. It was an exceptional evening for center Anthony Vermeersch (202-90) who led the winners and scored 15 points and 7 rebounds. Tomas Goethaert accounted for 10 points, 7 assists and 4 steals. Gembo BBC’s coach Glenn De Boeck allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Forward Thomas Lamot (190-87) came up with 17 points and 7 rebounds for Melsele in the defeat. Gembo BBC keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Waregem and Oxaco. Melsele at the other side keeps the eighth place with four games lost. They share the position with Gistel Oostende and RPC Anderlecht. Gembo BBC will play against bottom-ranked Ninane (#14) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Melsele will play against Soba (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. The game between Top Four teams took place in Waregem. Third ranked host Waregem (6-1) defeated 4th placed Royal Brussels (4-2) 80-75. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Royal Brussels. Lars De Lepeleire fired 19 points for the winners. Thomas Creppy produced 18 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Waregem have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Gembo BBC and Oxaco. Newly promoted Royal Brussels dropped to the fifth place with two games lost. Waregem will meet at home Ieper (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Royal Brussels will play against Gistel Oostende and hope to secure a win. An interesting game took place in Anderlecht where 10th ranked Ekeren (2-5) was upset on the court of thirteenth ranked RPC Anderlecht (2-4) 74-60. Worth to mention a great performance of Geoffrey Hockins who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. RPC Anderlecht moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Melsele and Gistel Oostende. Ekeren at the other side, also newcomer in the league, dropped to the eleventh position with five games lost. RPC Anderlecht’s next round opponent will be Giants B (#13) in Antwerp which should be theoretically an easy game. Ekeren will play on the road against Houthalen and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Fifth ranked Gent Hawks (5-2) crushed at home 14th ranked Ninane (1-6) by 19 points 100-81, which is the biggest margin this round on Saturday night. Worth to mention a quality performance of Maxime Verspeeten who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. Gent Hawks have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place. Ninane lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with six games lost. Gent Hawks will face league’s leader Oxaco in Boechout in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ninane will play at home against the league’s second-placed Gembo BBC (#2) and hope to win that game. In the last two games of round 7 Houthalen lost to Soba on the opponent’s court 57-67. Ieper managed to outperform Giants B in a home game 72-67. Gistel Oostende – Oxaco 86-76The most surprising game was the first loss of Oxaco (6-1) on the court of thirteenth ranked Gistel Oostende on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by Gistel Oostende 86-76. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Oxaco. 28 personal fouls committed by Oxaco helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for power forward Tim Lambrecht (206-98, agency: Court Side) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 14 rebounds …

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