Finland – Korisliiga Round 11: Joensuun Kataja beats Lapuan Korikobrat by three after a very close game

IlariSeppala The fans could enjoy quite many interesting games in the last round. The round ended with favorites losing the games and games ending by tiny margin.The most exciting game of round 11 in the Korisliiga took place in Lapua. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 6th ranked Lapuan Korikobrat (4-6) to second ranked Joensuun Kataja (8-3) 101-98 on Friday evening. Joensuun Kataja looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Guard Ilari Seppala (188-93) orchestrated the victory by scoring 32 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Canadian guard Daniel Mullings (188-91, college: N.Mexico St.) contributed with 13 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals for the winners. American forward Damon Williams (201-73, college: Colorado St.-Pueblo, agency: Two Points) answered with a triple-double by scoring 15 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for Lapuan Korikobrat. Joensuun Kataja maintains second place with 8-3 record behind leader Helsinki Seagulls. Lapuan Korikobrat at the other side keeps the sixth position with six games lost. They share it with Kouvot. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest. Very important is a road loss of second ranked Joensuun Kataja (8-3) against fifth ranked Kauhajoen Karhu (5-5) on Saturday night. Visiting Joensuun Kataja was crushed by Kauhajoen Karhu in Kauhajoki 88-66. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Joensuun Kataja. American players dominated the game. It was a great evening for forward Kammeon Holsey (203-90, college: Georgia Tech) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points and 8 rebounds. Austin Hollins helped adding 22 points. Rion Brown (198-91, college: Miami, FL) responded with 22 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kauhajoen Karhu moved-up to fourth place. Joensuun Kataja at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost. Kauhajoen Karhu will play against Kouvot (#7) in Kouvola in the next round. Joensuun Kataja will have a break next round. An interesting game for Helsinki Seagulls (9-0) which hosted in Helsinki 4th placed BC Nokia (5-6). Leader Helsinki Seagulls had an easy win 104-75. It was an exceptional evening for Antto Nikkarinen who led the winners and scored 15 points and 9 assists. Papa Dia came up with 15 points and 5 rebounds for BC Nokia in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Undefeated Helsinki Seagulls have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-0 record. Loser BC Nokia dropped to the fifth position with six games lost. Helsinki Seagulls will meet Tampereen Pyrinto (#8) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. BC Nokia will play against KTP-Basket and hope to secure a win. An interesting game for Helsinki Seagulls (9-0) which hosted in Helsinki 3rd placed Salon Vilpas (7-4). Leader Helsinki Seagulls managed to get a 8-point victory 71-63. The best player for the winners was Jason Conley who had a double-double by scoring 11 points and 12 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Helsinki Seagulls. They maintain first place with 9-0 record. Salon Vilpas at the other side keeps the third position with four games lost. Helsinki Seagulls’ next round opponent will be Tampereen Pyrinto (#8) on the road and are hoping to win another game. Bottom-ranked UU-Korihait managed to get a third victory, breaking the series of two consecutive losses on Friday night. This time newly promoted UU-Korihait won against eighth-ranked Tampereen Pyrinto in Uusikaupunki 88-80. American players dominated also this game. Dominique Lee orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Newly promoted UU-Korihait maintains tenth place with 3-8 record. Loser Tampereen Pyrinto keeps the eighth position with seven games lost. UU-Korihait will have a break next round. In the last two games of round 11 Salon Vilpas beat KTP Basket on the road 76-75. BC Nokia won against Pyrinto on its own court 102-89. The most impressive performance of 11th round was 13 points and 5 rebounds by Raymond Cowels III of Helsinki Seagulls.Helsinki Seagulls – BC Nokia 104-75An interesting game for Helsinki Seagulls (9-0) which hosted in Helsinki 4th placed BC Nokia (5-6). Leader Helsinki Seagulls had an easy win 104-75. The game without a history. Helsinki Seagulls led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to BC Nokia’s 38. It was a great shooting night for Helsinki Seagulls especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 57.1 percentage. It was an exceptional evening for the former international point guard Antto Nikkarinen (185-91, agency: Blacktop Management) who led the winners and scored 15 points and 9 assists. The former international center Gerald Lee (208-87, college: ODU) accounted for 16 points for the winning side. Five Helsinki Seagulls players scored in double figures. Senegalese forward Papa Dia (208-87, college: SMU) came up with 15 points and 5 rebounds and swingman Henri Hirvikoski (191-86) added 11 points respectively for BC Nokia in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Helsinki Seagulls have an …

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