Belarus – Premier League Round 9: Grodno-93 beats Vitebsk in the most crucial game of the week

YuriMishukov An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Grodno. Leader Grodno-93 faced 4th placed Vitebsk. Host Grodno-93 (7-0) smashed guests from Vitebsk (4-5) 94-74. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Vitebsk. The game was mostly controlled by Grodno-93. Vitebsk managed to win fourth quarter 23-18. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded Vitebsk 42-27 including a 30-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Grodno-93 looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Vitebsk’s players. The best player for the winners was the former international center Yuri Mishukov (205-85) who scored 18 points and 9 rebounds. Ukrainian forward Ivan Kaliayev (200-87) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds. Grodno-93’s coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was point guard Aliaksei Kachan (185-91) who recorded 25 points. Undefeated Grodno-93 have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with COR-Borisfen and Tsmoki II. Vitebsk at the other side keeps the fourth place with five games lost. Grodno-93 is again looking forward to face Vitebsk (#4) at home in the next round. Vitebsk will have a break next round. Undefeated leader COR-Borisfen delivered the seventh consecutive victory. This time they crushed 6th ranked BSEU-GrandPrint (2-5) 95-65 in Minsk. It was a good game for Ukrainian center Maksym Kozlovets (205-90) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 17 rebounds. Vytautas Kamarunas contributed with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Guard Valentin Nazarov (185-97) answered with 7 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists for BSEU-GrandPrint. 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 seventh consecutive win for COR-Borisfen. They maintain first place with 7-0 record, which they share with Grodno-93 and Tsmoki II. BSEU-GrandPrint lost their third game in a row. They keep the sixth position with five games lost. COR-Borisfen will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. BSEU-GrandPrint will play again at home against the league’s leader COR-Borisfen (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track. The game in Grodno was also quite interesting. Sixth ranked Impuls BGUIR (3-4) played at the court of 7th ranked Prinemanye (2-7). Impuls BGUIR managed to secure a 5-point victory 78-73 on Friday. Kiril Volodkin stepped up and scored 23 points and 4 assists for the winners. The best for the losing side was Dmitriy Chumakov with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds. Impuls BGUIR moved-up to fifth place. Prinemanye lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with seven games lost. Impuls BGUIR will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Prinemanye will play again against Impuls BGUIR (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. The game with biggest result difference took place in Minsk. Local Tsmoki II (7-0) outscored 8th ranked GOCOR-Sozh (1-6) 97-44. Maksim Liutych nailed a double-double by scoring 20 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Tsmoki II. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with COR-Borisfen and Grodno-93. GOCOR-Sozh at the other side keeps the …

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