Norway – BLNO Round 5: Kongsberg keeps a leadership position

JuanFerrales There were just five rounds played in Regular Season of BLNO and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. The fans could enjoy quite many interesting games in the last round. The round ended with favorites losing the games and even winless team recording their first victory.The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Kongsberg as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Kongsberg defeated second-ranked Froya Basket at home 96-85. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Froya Basket. The game was mostly controlled by Kongsberg. Froya Basket managed to win fourth quarter 18-16. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Kongsberg shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 53.6 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Cuba-American guard Juan Ferrales (188-91, college: Barry) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 39 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Guard Matias Save (191-96) contributed with 36 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field) for the winners. French forward Ivan Emanuely (199-91) answered with 26 points and 5 rebounds for Froya Basket. Kongsberg have a solid series of three victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Froya Basket at the other side keeps the second place with two games lost. Froya Basket will play next round against strong Centrum trying to get back on the winning streak. Kongsberg will try to continue on its current victory against eighth ranked Tromso at home. Very important is a home loss of second ranked Froya Basket (5-2) against sixth ranked Gimle BBK (3-2) on Wednesday night. Host Froya Basket was defeated by Gimle BBK in Laksevag 95-83. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Froya Basket. Swingman Magne Fivelstad (198-89, college: Barry) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and Lars Espe chipped in 24 points. Gimle BBK’s coach Audun Eskeland allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American forward Jamell Harris (206-91, college: E.Michigan) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds. Gimle BBK moved-up to fifth place. Froya Basket at the other side keeps the second position with two games lost. Gimle BBK will play against higher ranked Centrum (#4) in Oslo in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Froya Basket will play at home against Centrum and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Very important is a home loss of second ranked Nidaros Jets (4-2) against sixth ranked Baerum Basket (3-3) on Saturday night. Host Nidaros Jets were defeated by Baerum Basket in Tromdheim 91-73. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Nidaros Jets. Eric Gilchrese nailed 21 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 9 steals for the winning side. Earl Simba came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 21 rebounds for Nidaros Jets in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Baerum Basket have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain sixth place with 3-3 record. Loser Nidaros Jets dropped to the third position with two games lost. They share it with Centrum. Baerum Basket will meet Ammerud Bskt (#9) in the next round. Nidaros Jets will play again against Baerum Basket (#6) in Bekkestua and hope to secure a win. An interesting game for Kongsberg (5-0) which played road game in Oslo against 4th placed Centrum (4-2). Leader Kongsberg managed to get a 14-point victory 100-86. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Centrum. The best player for the winners was Oivind Lundestad who had a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field). Kongsberg have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Defending champion Centrum dropped to the third place with two games lost. Kongsberg’s next round opponent will be Tromso (#8) at home and are hoping to win another game. Centrum will play against the league’s second-placed Froya Basket (#2) in Laksevag and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Tromso’s fans can celebrate the first win of their team after four consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Ammerud Bskt (1-5) 82-66 on Sunday. Hani Issalhi orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 5 rebounds. Ammerud Bskt’s coach Kelvin Woods rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Tromso (1-4) left bottom position moving up to eighth place. It was Ammerud Bskt’s third loss in a row. They dropped to the ninth position with five games lost. Tromso will face bottom-ranked Persbraten (#10) in Oslo in the next round. Ammerud Bskt will play at home against Baerum Basket and hope to win that game. There were no big surprises in other games of round 5: Froya Basket smashed Persbraten on the road 85-66. Asker Aliens lost to defending champion Centrum on its own court 69-87. Ammerud Bskt unfortunately lost to Asker Aliens in a road game 82-88. Froya Basket – Gimle BBK 83-95Very important is a home loss of second ranked Froya Basket (5-2) against sixth ranked Gimle BBK (3-2) on Wednesday night. Host Froya Basket was defeated by Gimle BBK in Laksevag 95-83. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Froya Basket. The game was mostly controlled by Gimle BBK. Froya Basket was better in third quarter 31-21. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They made 20-of-24 charity shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Gimle BBK forced 22 Froya Basket turnovers. Swingman Magne Fivelstad (198-89, college: Barry) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and point guard Lars Espe (179-98) chipped in 24 points. Gimle BBK’s coach Audun Eskeland allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American forward Jamell Harris (206-91, college: E.Michigan) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds and Latvia point guard Reno Silavs (180-91) scored 19 points and 4 assists. Gimle BBK moved-up to fifth place. Froya Basket at the other side keeps the second position with two games lost. Gimle BBK will play against higher ranked Centrum (#4) in Oslo in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Froya Basket will play at home against Centrum and it may …

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