Slovakia – SBL Round 19: Prievidza beats Iskra Svit by three after a very close game

RichardKorner The fans could enjoy quite many interesting games in the last round. The round ended with favorites losing the games, games ending by tiny margin and even winless team recording their first victory.The most exciting game of round 19 in the SBL took place in Svit. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 5th ranked Iskra Svit (11-9) to fourth ranked Prievidza (13-3) 102-99 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Iskra Svit. Prievidza shot 61.9 percent from the field. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international Richard Korner (197-90) who helped to win the game recording 19 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Serbian center Rastko Dramicanin (208-86, agency: BeoBasket) contributed with 18 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Israeli center Anton Shoutvin (206-89) answered with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds for Iskra Svit. Prievidza have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. Defending champion moved-up to third place. Iskra Svit at the other side keeps the fifth position with nine games lost. Prievidza are looking forward to face Karlovka (#9) in Bratislava in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Iskra Svit will play on the road against Nitra (#10) in Nitra and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win. Very important is a road loss of third ranked Levice (13-4) against fourth ranked Prievidza (13-3) on Friday night. Visiting Levice was defeated by Prievidza in Prievidza 92-79. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Levice. It was a great evening for American guard Andre Jones (191-90, college: Winthrop) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points and 8 rebounds. Rastko Dramicanin helped adding 16 points and 9 rebounds. At the losing side American power forward Reggie Keely (202-91, college: Ohio, agency: Mansfield and Associates) responded with 16 points and 8 rebounds. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Prievidza. Defending champion moved-up to third place. Levice at the other side dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. Prievidza will play against Karlovka (#9) in Bratislava in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Levice will play at home against the league’s leader Inter Bratislava (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track. Nova Ves’ fans can finally celebrate the first win of their team after 17 consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Karlovka (5-13) 61-58 on Wednesday. It was an exceptional evening for Matt Marshall who led the winners and scored 9 points and 16 rebounds. Michal Kozar came up with 17 points and 5 rebounds for Karlovka in the defeat. Nova Ves maintains eleventh place with 1-17 record. It was Karlovka’s fourth loss in a row. They keep the ninth position with 13 games lost. Nova Ves will meet higher ranked Rieker KN (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Karlovka will play against Prievidza having rather not much hope for a victory.SBL top team – Inter Bratislava (16-2) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventh ranked Lucenec (7-9) 107-73. Salih Nuhanovic fired 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. 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 ninth consecutive win for Inter Bratislava. They maintain first place with 16-2 record. Lucenec lost their fifth game in a row. Newly promoted team dropped to the sixth position with nine games lost. Inter Bratislava’s next round opponent will be Levice (#4) on the road. Lucenec will play against the league’s second-placed Kosice and hope to win that game. SBL top team – Inter Bratislava (16-2) had no problems winning another game on Friday. This time they crushed ninth ranked Karlovka (5-13) 82-57. It was a very good performance for Radoslav Rancik who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds. 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. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Inter Bratislava. They maintain first place with 16-2 record. Karlovka lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the ninth position with 13 games lost. Inter Bratislava will face Levice (#4) on the road in the next round. Karlovka will play against Prievidza (#3) and hope to win that game. In the last two games of round 19 Nitra was beaten by Handlova on the road 92-83. Iskra Svit won against Rieker KN on its own court 87-69. Prievidza – Levice 92-79Very important is a road loss of third ranked Levice (13-4) against fourth ranked Prievidza (13-3) on Friday night. Visiting Levice was defeated by Prievidza in Prievidza 92-79. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Levice. Prievidza forced 22 Levice turnovers. Levice was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a great evening for American guard Andre Jones (191-90, college: Winthrop) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points and 8 rebounds. Serbian center Rastko Dramicanin (208-86, agency: BeoBasket) helped adding 16 points and 9 rebounds. At the losing side American power forward Reggie Keely (202-91, college: Ohio, agency: …

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