Slovakia – SBL Round 11: Levice defeats Handlova in the closest game of the week

Reggie Keely The most exciting game of round 11 in the SBL took place in MBK Handlova. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 8th ranked Handlova (4-6) to fourth ranked Levice (7-3) 99-98 on Saturday evening. Levice made 26-of-32 free shots (81.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Handlova turnovers. 30 personal fouls committed by Handlova helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for American power forward Reggie Keely (202-91, college: Ohio, agency: Mansfield and Associates) who led his team to a victory scoring 30 points and 8 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). Serbian guard Dejan Djokic (187-89) helped adding 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Levice’s coach Teo Hojc used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The former international power forward Peter Sedmak (207-85, agency: 011 Sports) responded with 29 points and 9 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). Levice moved-up to third place, which they share with Prievidza. Newly promoted Handlova dropped to the seventh position with six games lost. They share it with Lucenec. Levice is looking forward to face Iskra Svit (#5) on the road in the next round. Handlova will play against Prievidza and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win. The game between Top Four teams took place in Kosice. First ranked host Kosice (8-2) defeated second-ranked Prievidza (7-3) 95-91. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Prievidza. It was a key game for the top position in the league. It was an exceptional evening for Serbian guard Radenko Pilcevic (188-86, agency: AproK Sports Group) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 assists and 6 steals. Milan Ziak accounted for 23 points. American guard Andre Jones (191-90, college: Winthrop) came up with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for Prievidza in the defeat. Kosice have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place with 8-2 record. Defending champion Prievidza dropped to the third position with three games lost. They share it with Levice. Kosice will play against league’s second-placed Inter Bratislava at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Prievidza will play against Handlova in MBK Handlova and hopes to get back on the winning track. Sixth ranked Rieker KN (6-3) crushed at home 10th ranked Nitra (2-9) by 39 points 90-51, which is the biggest margin this round on Saturday night. The best player for the winners was Sinisa Bilic who scored 22 points and 6 rebounds. Juevol Myles produced 15 points for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Rieker KN. They maintain sixth place with 6-3 record. Nitra at the other side keeps the tenth position with nine games lost. Rieker KN will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Nitra will play against Karlovka (#9) in Bratislava and it may be a tough game between close rivals. In the last two games of round 11 Karlovka was destroyed by Inter Bratislava on the opponent’s court 104-69. Iskra Svit outscored Lucenec in a home game 105-76. The most impressive stats of the last round was 15 points and 7 rebounds by Wayne Langston of Rieker KN.Inter Bratislava – Karlovka 104-69Very expected game when 9th ranked Karlovka (3-7) was crushed on the road by third ranked Inter Bratislava (8-3) 104-69 on Saturday. Inter Bratislava dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Karlovka’s 28 and made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Inter Bratislava looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international power forward Radoslav Rancik (205-79, college: St.Cloud St., agency: BeoBasket) who scored 35 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. Serbian guard Aleksandar Vlahovic (190-90, agency: 011 Sports) chipped in 15 points and 7 assists. Five Inter Bratislava players scored in double figures. International guard Dalibor Hlivak (190-95) produced 14 points and 4 assists and center Branislav Brlit (207-85, agency: Promotex) …

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