Ukraine – Higher League Round 4: Krivbas-2 defeats Dnipro-2 in the game between Top 4 teams

DmitroVasilenko There were just four rounds played in Regular Season of Higher League and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. An interesting game for Krivbas-2 (4-0) which played road game in Dnepropetrovsk against 4th ranked Dnipro-2 (1-3). Top-ranked Krivbas-2 managed to get a 8-point victory 66-58. The guests trailed by 1 point after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 5-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 66-58. Krivbas-2 dominated on the defensive end, holding Dnipro-2 to just 4 points in fourth quarter. They also forced 28 Dnipro-2 turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Dmitro Vasilenko (191-97) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 9 rebounds. Guard Evgeni Sergeychik (185-94) contributed with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Forward Olexandr Kovalskiy (202-98) replied with 13 points and 9 rebounds for Dnipro-2. Dnipro-2’s coach Oleksandr Muntian rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Krivbas-2 have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Azovmash and Ternopil-TNEU. Newly promoted Dnipro-2 keeps the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with BC-93 RSzVSM and Kremen-2. Krivbas-2 is looking forward to face league’s leader Azovmash in Mariupol in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Dnipro-2 will play on the road against Niko-Basket in Mykolaiv and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Higher League top team – Ternopil-TNEU (4-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat sixth ranked KPZO DYUSH (0-2) 82-64. Worth to mention a quality performance of forward Oleksiy Momotenko (203-92) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists and Volodymyr Cybin who added 11 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side point guard Oleksandr Fomenko (180-86) responded with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ternopil-TNEU have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-0 record, which they share with Azovmash and Krivbas-2. Newly promoted KPZO DYUSH still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with Zolotoi Vek and SumDU. Ternopil-TNEU will play against league’s second-placed Hoverla in Frankivsk in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. KPZO DYUSH will play on the road against Politekhn.Lvov (#4) in Lviv and hopes to get finally their first victory.Higher League top team – Azovmash (4-0) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed fifth ranked Kremen-2 (1-3) in Mariupol 88-58. The winners were led by Maksym Lukyanov who scored that evening 21 points and 7 rebounds. Azovmash’s coach Sergei Zavalin felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 26 points by Anton Mikhailenko did not help to save the game for Kremen-2. Azovmash have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-0 record, which they share with Ternopil-TNEU and Krivbas-2. Kremen-2 lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with BC-93 RSzVSM and Dnipro-2. Azovmash will meet at home league’s second-placed Krivbas-2 in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Kremen-2 will have a break next round. Bottom-ranked Ch.Mavpy 2 is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to second ranked Hoverla (3-1) 79-68. Roman Gumeniuk fired a double-double by scoring 12 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Hoverla have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 3-1 record behind leader Ternopil-TNEU, which they share with Khimik-2. Ch.Mavpy 2 at the other side still closes the standings with four games lost. Hoverla’s next round opponent will be league’s leader Ternopil-TNEU on the road and it will be for sure the game of the week. In the last game of round 4 BC-93 RSzVSM was beaten by Khimik-2 on the road 81-75. The most impressive performance of 4th round was 14 points and 5 assists by Oleksiy Voloshin of BC-93 RSzVSM.Ternopil-TNEU – KPZO DYUSH 82-64Higher League top team – Ternopil-TNEU (4-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat sixth ranked KPZO DYUSH (0-2) 82-64. The game without a history. Ternopil-TNEU led from the first minutes and …

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