Georgia – Superleague Round 13: Olimpi defeats Cactus Tbilisi in the closest game of the week

Revaz Rogava The most exciting game of round 13 in the Superleague took place in Tbilisi. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 5th ranked Cactus Tbilisi (5-7) to seventh ranked Olimpi (3-9) 79-76 on Saturday evening. The guests took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Cactus Tbilisi won fourth quarter 28-22. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Olimpi forced 26 Cactus Tbilisi turnovers. Strangely Cactus Tbilisi outrebounded Olimpi 42-28 including 29 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The former international guard Revaz Rogava (191-93) stepped up and scored 18 points and 8 assists for the winners and American guard Tre Burnette (196, college: S.Dakota) chipped in 15 points and 8 rebounds. At the losing side American center John Florveus (211-90, college: Georgia) responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 15 rebounds. Olimpi maintains seventh place with 3-9 record. Cactus Tbilisi lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with seven games lost. They share it with Sokhumi. Olimpi are looking forward to face higher ranked Batumi (#4) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Cactus Tbilisi will play against Energy Invest in Rustavi and it may be a tough game between close rivals. The game between Top Four teams took place in Rustavi. 3rd placed host Energy Invest (7-5) was smashed by leader Dinamo Tbilisi (12-0) 93-70. American guard Deonta Vaughn (185-86, college: Cincinnati, agency: Interperformances) nailed 22 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and Mikheil Tchotchua accounted for 23 points (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). American point guard Charlie Lee (175-92, college: Cleveland St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists for Energy Invest in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Undefeated Dinamo Tbilisi have an impressive series of twelve victories in a row. They maintain first place with 12-0 record. Energy Invest at the other side keeps the third position with five games lost. Dinamo Tbilisi will play against league’s second-placed Kutaisi at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Energy Invest will play against Cactus Tbilisi and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Bottom-ranked Mgzavrebi (0-12) is still winless. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their 12th consecutive match to second ranked Kutaisi (10-1) 85-60 on Friday evening. Beka Bekauri fired 14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks for the winners. Kutaisi’s coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Reggie Murphy produced 8 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. The victory was the tenth consecutive win for Kutaisi. Defending champion maintains second place with 10-1 record having just three points less than leader Dinamo Tbilisi. Mgzavrebi lost their twelfth game in a row. They still close the standings with 12 games lost. Kutaisi will meet league’s leader Dinamo Tbilisi on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Mgzavrebi’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tbilisi to the arena Sokhumi. In the last game of round 13 Sokhumi won against Batumi on the opponent’s court 88-78. Rustavi – Dinamo Tbilisi 70-93The game between Top Four teams took place in Rustavi. 3rd placed host Energy Invest (7-5) was smashed by leader Dinamo Tbilisi (12-0) 93-70. It looked good early as Energy Invest took a 2-point small lead at the end of first quarter. But then Dinamo Tbilisi had a …

continue reading in source www.eurobasket.com