Georgia – Superleague Round 9: Derby game ends with Cactus Tbilisi’s defeat of Mgzavrebi

DavitLomidze The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Tbilisi: Cactus Tbilisi (#5) and Mgzavrebi (#8). Mgzavrebi was defeated at home 82-87 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. The guests trailed by 2 points at the halftime before their 25-15 charge in the third quarter, which allowed them to win the game. 27 personal fouls committed by Mgzavrebi helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a good game for guard Davit Lomidze (197-97) who led his team to a victory with 30 points and 9 rebounds. American center John Florveus (211-90, college: Georgia) contributed with 18 points and 17 rebounds for the winners. American guard Darnell Taylor (193-91, college: CS San Marcos) answered with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for Mgzavrebi. Cactus Tbilisi maintains fifth place with 4-4 record. Mgzavrebi at the other side still closes the standings with eight games lost. Cactus Tbilisi are looking forward to face higher ranked Batumi (#4) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mgzavrebi’s supporters also look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tbilisi to the arena Olimpi. An interesting game for Dinamo Tbilisi (8-0) which hosted in Tbilisi 4th placed Batumi (5-4). Leader Dinamo Tbilisi managed to get a 7-point victory 97-90. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Batumi. American guard Deonta Vaughn (185-86, college: Cincinnati, agency: Interperformances) stepped up and scored 37 points (!!!) for the winners and Nikola Maravic chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds. Dinamo Tbilisi’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was Ukrainian point guard Illya Shemosiuk (188-85) with 25 points. Undefeated Dinamo Tbilisi have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain first place with 8-0 record. Batumi at the other side keeps the fourth position with four games lost. Dinamo Tbilisi’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Tbilisi Sokhumi. The game in Tbilisi was also quite interesting. Second ranked Kutaisi (7-1) played at the court of 6th ranked Sokhumi (2-6). Kutaisi managed to secure a 4-point victory 90-86 on Tuesday. Giorgi Tsintsadze nailed 28 points and 5 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) for the winning side. Dwayne Lathan came up with 35 points (!!!) and 4 steals for Sokhumi in the defeat. Sokhumi’s coach Nugzar Cheishvili rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Kutaisi. Defending champion maintains second place with 7-1 record behind leader Dinamo Tbilisi. Loser Sokhumi keeps the sixth position with six games lost. Kutaisi will meet at home Energy Invest (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Sokhumi’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tbilisi to the arena Dinamo Tbilisi. The game in Tbilisi was also worth to mention about. Third ranked Energy Invest (6-2) played at the court of 7th ranked Olimpi (1-8). Energy Invest managed to secure a 6-point victory 74-68. The best player for the winners was Thomas Spagnolo who had a double-double by scoring 10 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists. Energy Invest maintains third place with 6-2 record having just two points less than leader Dinamo Tbilisi. Olimpi lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with eight games lost. Energy Invest’s next round opponent will be league’s second-placed Kutaisi on the road and it will be for sure the game of the week. Olimpi’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local …

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