Finland – Korisliiga Round 7 of Regular Season

Marcus Van It’s still too early stage of the Regular Season in Korisliiga, but even now we can clearly see the differece between stronger teams and outsiders. Joensuun Kataja (5-1) recorded its first loss in Uusikaupunki on Friday night. Visitors were edged by tenth ranked UU-Korihait (2-6) 76-74. Joensuun Kataja trailed by 12 points after 3 quarters before a 24-14 run in the last quarter cut the deficit to 74-76 at the end of the game. The game was dominated by American players. Power forward Marcus Van (201-87, college: Cent.Michigan) fired a double-double by scoring 10 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Guard Emmanuel Holloway (185-86, college: Illinois St., agency: Blacktop Management) chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds. Guard Byron Wesley (196-92, college: Gonzaga) produced 17 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. UU-Korihait moved-up to ninth place. Joensuun Kataja at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. UU-Korihait are looking forward to face higher ranked BC Nokia (#4) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Joensuun Kataja will have a break next round. Another exciting game was between second ranked Joensuun Kataja and 3rd placed Salon Vilpas where Joensuun Kataja (5-1) beat Salon Vilpas (4-2) on the road 93-87. The game was also dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Byron Wesley (196-92, college: Gonzaga) who helped to win the game recording 29 points. Joey King contributed with 19 points for the winners. Forward Al’Lonzo Coleman (201-89, college: Presbyterian) answered with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds for Salon Vilpas. Joensuun Kataja maintains second place with 5-1 record behind leader Helsinki Seagulls. Salon Vilpas at the other side keeps the third position with two games lost. Joensuun Kataja will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Salon Vilpas will play at home against Tampereen Pyrinto and hopes to get back on the winning track. Undefeated leader Helsinki Seagulls delivered the sixth consecutive victory on Friday night. This time they beat 5th ranked Lapuan Korikobrat (3-4) 71-64. It was a great evening for Carl Lindbom who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds. Helsinki Seagulls’ coach Mikko Larkas used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side Damon Williams responded with 6 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Undefeated Helsinki Seagulls (6-0) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 6 victories in a row. Loser Lapuan Korikobrat dropped to the sixth position with four games lost. They share it with KTP Basket. Helsinki Seagulls will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Lapuan Korikobrat will play against KTP-Basket (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. The game with biggest result difference took place in Kotka. Local KTP-Basket (3-4) beat 10th ranked Tampereen Pyrinto (1-5) 77-61. American players dominated the game. It was a quality performance for Monyea Pratt who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. KTP-Basket moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Lapua. Tampereen Pyrinto at the other side stay at the bottom position with five games lost. KTP-Basket’s next round opponent will be Lapuan Korikobrat (#7) on the road. Tampereen Pyrinto will play against Salon Vilpas and hope to win that game. In the last game of round 7 Kouvot was defeated by BC Nokia in a road game 75-60. The best stats of 7th round was 19 points and 10 rebounds by Papa Dia of BC Nokia.BC Nokia – Kouvot 75-60Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both seventh ranked BC Nokia and 8th ranked Kouvot had identical 2-3 record. This time BC Nokia used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Kouvola 75-60. Kouvot was ahead by 3 points after three quarters before a 26-8 charge of BC Nokia, which allowed them to win the game. They also forced 25 Kouvot turnovers. 24 personal fouls committed by Kouvot helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was an exceptional evening for Senegalese forward Papa Dia (208-87, college: SMU) who …

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