Ukraine – Superleague Round 22: Top-ranked Khimik wins another game

Jason Love Superleague top team – Khimik (16-2) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed ninth ranked Kremen (7-13) in Kremenchuk 89-63. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Kremen. The guests trailed by 2 points after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 5-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 89-63. Khimik dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Kremen’s 24. They outrebounded Kremen 37-23 including 27 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Jason Love (206-87, college: Xavier) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. The other American import point guard Jaime Smith (190-89, college: Al.-Huntsville) contributed with 24 points for the winners. American point guard Rob Woodson (180, college: Grand Valley St., agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) replied with 14 points and 5 rebounds for Kremen. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Khimik have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 16-2 record. Kremen at the other side keeps the ninth place with 13 games lost. The game in Zaporozhye was also worth to mention about. Second ranked Budivelnyk (15-4) played at the court of 6th ranked Zaporizhya (9-10). Budivelnyk defeated Zaporizhya 89-74. American point guard Henry Dugat (183-87, college: Baylor) scored 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Artur Drozdov chipped in 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Budivelnyk’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side Maks Adam Konate (202-91, agency: Alti Sport) responded with 24 points and 9 rebounds. Budivelnyk have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 15-4 record behind leader Khimik. Zaporizhya lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Cherkasy. The game between third ranked Dnipro (14-6) and 6th ranked Cherkasy (9-10) in Dnepropetrovsk on Sunday ended with biggest points difference. Dnipro outscored guests from Cherkasy 82-55. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Cherkasy. Stanislav Tymofeyenko notched 14 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort. Even 19 points by Oleksandr Kolchenko did not help to save the game for Cherkasy. 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. Dnipro maintains third position with 14-6 record despite having the same number of points like the leader Khimik. Loser Cherkasy keeps the sixth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Zaporizhya. In the last two games of round 22 Mykolaiv beat VolinBasket on the road 85-69. Bottom-ranked Avantazh-Polit. lost to Bipa Basket on its own court 76-90. The most impressive performance of 22th round was 26 points by Olexiy Onufriyev of Mykolaiv.VolinBasket – Mykolaiv 69-85No shocking result in a game when eighth ranked Mykolaiv (8-12) beat 10th ranked VolinBasket (3-15) in Lutsk 85-69 on Sunday. The guests trailed by 10 points after first quarter, but they stormed back and won the game by 16 points. Mykolaiv forced 22 VolinBasket turnovers. Strangely VolinBasket outrebounded Mykolaiv 42-30 including 27 on the defensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Mykolaiv made 7 blocks. Point guard Vladyslav Tonchenko (185-89) notched 18 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists to lead the effort and the former international forward Olexiy Onufriyev (202-82) supported him with 26 points. Even 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by guard Oleg Rudakov (190-94, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) did not help to save the game for VolinBasket. Russian forward Stanislav …

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