Finland – Korisliiga Round 14: UU-Korihait hands first loss to Helsinki Seagulls

MikkoJalonen The most surprising game was the first loss of Helsinki Seagulls (11-1) in Uusikaupunki on Wednesday night. Visitors were defeated by tenth ranked UU-Korihait (4-8) 96-79. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Helsinki Seagulls. The hosts trailed by 9 points after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 10-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 96-79. UU-Korihait made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Point guard Mikko Jalonen (186-82) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points. American guard Emmanuel Holloway (185-86, college: Illinois St., agency: Blacktop Management) contributed with 18 points for the winners. American guard Jason Conley (196-81, college: Missouri, agency: Blacktop Management) replied with 7 points and 9 rebounds for Helsinki Seagulls. Helsinki Seagulls’ coach Mikko Larkas rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. UU-Korihait moved-up to eighth place. Helsinki Seagulls at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. UU-Korihait are looking forward to face KTP-Basket (#9) in Kotka in the next round. Helsinki Seagulls will play on the road against Kouvot (#7) in Kouvola and is hoping to win this game. An interesting game for Salon Vilpas (9-4) which played road game in Nokia against one of their biggest challengers BC Nokia (6-7). Third ranked Salon Vilpas managed to get a 7-point victory 90-83. American guard Desmond Williams (199-91, college: S.Connecticut) scored 20 points and 9 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Juwan Staten chipped in 19 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) during the contest. American guard Isaiah Wilkerson (191-90, college: NJIT) responded with 22 points and 4 assists. Salon Vilpas have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 9-4 record having just one point less than leader Helsinki Seagulls. BC Nokia at the other side keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Kauhajoki. Salon Vilpas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. BC Nokia will play on the road against Tampereen Pyrinto (#10) and hopes to get back on the winning track. Bottom-ranked KTP-Basket managed to get a fourth victory, breaking the five-game losing streak on Wednesday night. This time they won against fifth-ranked Kauhajoen Karhu in Kotka 75-68. Monyea Pratt notched a triple-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds by DeVaughn Washington did not help to save the game for Kauhajoen Karhu. KTP-Basket (4-9) moved-up to ninth place. Loser Kauhajoen Karhu dropped to the fourth position with seven games lost. They share it with BC Nokia. KTP-Basket will meet at home higher ranked UU-Korihait (#8) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kauhajoen Karhu will play against Lapuan Korikobrat (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. The game between seventh ranked Lapuan Korikobrat (5-7) and 10th ranked Tampereen Pyrinto (4-10) in Lapua ended with biggest points difference. Lapuan Korikobrat beat guests from Tampere 92-80. American players dominated the game. The best player for the winners was Jamal Jones who scored 30 points and 8 rebounds. Tampereen Pyrinto’s coach tested ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Lapuan Korikobrat moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Kouvot. Tampereen Pyrinto lost fifth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with ten games lost. Lapuan Korikobrat’s next round opponent will be higher ranked Kauhajoen Karhu (#5) in Kauhajoki and it may be quite challenging game. Tampereen Pyrinto will play at home against BC Nokia (#4) and hope to win that game. Lapua – Pyrinto 92-80The game between seventh ranked Lapuan Korikobrat (5-7) and 10th ranked Tampereen Pyrinto (4-10) in Lapua ended …

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