Belgium – Top Division I Round 8: Oxaco beats Gent Hawks in the most crucial game of the week

ChristopherPegg An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Boechout. First ranked Oxaco faced 4th ranked Gent Hawks. Host Oxaco (7-1) defeated guests from Gent (5-3) 73-66. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Gent Hawks. Oxaco had a 35-24 advantage in offensive rebounds. 25 personal fouls committed by Gent Hawks helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was point guard Christopher Pegg (183-82) who scored 17 points and 8 rebounds. Sam Van Hoey (190-91) chipped in 17 points. Oxaco’s coach Tony van den Bosch used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Gregory De Pooter (197-84) produced 16 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. Oxaco maintains first position with 7-1 record, which they share with Gembo BBC and Waregem. Gent Hawks at the other side dropped to the fifth place with three games lost. They share the position with Soba. Oxaco is looking forward to face RPC Anderlecht (#12) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Gent Hawks will play against Houthalen (#8) and are hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident. The game in Melsele was also worth to mention about. Sixth ranked Soba (5-3) played at the court of 8th ranked Melsele (2-5). Soba defeated Melsele 72-60. Swingman Mitchel Gorremans (191-85) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points and 5 rebounds. Kenneth van Kempen contributed with 12 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Dutch power forward Patrick Hilliman (206-82, college: High Point) replied with 8 points and 12 rebounds for Melsele. Soba have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Gent Hawks. Melsele at the other side dropped to the tenth position with five games lost. They share it with Gistel Oostende and RPC Anderlecht. Soba will play against Giants B (#9) in Antwerp in the next round. Melsele will play on the road against Ekeren and hopes to get back on the winning track. We should mention about the upset which took place in Antwerp, where higher ranked RPC Anderlecht (2-5) was outleveled in a road game by thirteenth ranked Giants B (2-4) 86-61 on Friday. Giants B moved-up to ninth place. Newly promoted RPC Anderlecht dropped to the tenth position with five games lost. They share it with Melsele and Gistel Oostende. Giants B will meet higher ranked Soba (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. RPC Anderlecht will play against the league’s leader Oxaco (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.The game with biggest result difference took place in Waregem. Local Waregem (7-1) outscored 7th ranked Ieper (3-5) 78-49. The winners were led by Brecht Guillemyn who scored that evening 21 points. They have a solid four-game winning streak. Waregem keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Gembo BBC and Oxaco. Ieper at the other side keeps the seventh place with five games lost. Waregem’s next round opponent will be Gistel Oostende (#11) at home and are hoping to win another game. Ieper will play against Ninane (#14) and hope to win that game. Rest of the games of round 8 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are: Gistel Oostende was defeated by Royal Brussels in a road game 65-61. Houthalen beat Ekeren at home 83-65. Gembo BBC won against Ninane on the opponent’s court 87-69. The best stats of 8th round was 21 points and 11 rebounds by Stephane Moris of Royal Brussels.Giants B – RPC Anderlecht 86-61We should mention about the upset which took place in Antwerp, where higher ranked RPC Anderlecht (2-5) was outleveled in a road game by thirteenth ranked Giants B (2-4) 86-61 on Friday. Giants B moved-up to ninth place. Newly promoted RPC Anderlecht dropped to the tenth position with five games lost. They share it with Melsele and Gistel Oostende. Giants B will meet higher ranked Soba (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. RPC Anderlecht will play against the league’s leader Oxaco (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.gschID: 488755Royal Brussels – Gistel Oostende 65-61There was no surprise when 9th ranked Gistel Oostende (2-5) was defeated on the road by fifth ranked …

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