Iceland – Dominos League Round 12: Stjarnan keeps a leadership position

TomasTomasson There were many interesting games last round. The round ended with favorites losing the games and games ending by tiny margin.The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Stjarnan as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Stjarnan defeated 5th ranked Thor AK at home 92-77. The game was mostly controlled by Stjarnan. Thor AK managed to win third quarter 23-19. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded Thor AK 38-24 including 27 on the defensive glass. Stjarnan looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was swingman Tomas Tomasson (192-91, college: Newberry) who scored 24 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. The former international power forward Hlynur Baeringsson (200-82) chipped in 13 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists. Stjarnan’s coach Hrafn Kristjansson used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Danero Thomas (196-86, college: Murray St.) who recorded 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Stjarnan have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Newly promoted Thor AK keeps the fifth place with six games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Thor AK will play next round against strong Tindastoll trying to get back on the winning streak. Stjarnan will try to continue on its current victory against ninth ranked IR in Reykjavik. An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Sauoarkrokur. Third ranked KR faced second-best Tindastoll. Guests from Reykjavik (9-3) defeated host Tindastoll (9-3) 94-87. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Tindastoll. It was a good game for the former international guard Jon Stefansson (192-82) who led his team to a victory with 33 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds. Cedrick Bowen contributed with 17 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Guard Petur Birgisson (185-96) replied with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds for Tindastoll. Tindastoll’s coach Israel Martin rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Tindastoll. KR will play against Skallagrimur (#5) in Borgarnes in the next round. Tindastoll will play on the road against Thor AK in Akureyri and hopes to get back on the winning track. An interesting game was played in Thorlakshofn where host Thor Thorl (#8) won against one of their biggest challengers Grindavik 96-85 on Friday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Tobin Carberry who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 16 rebounds and 4 assists. Thor Thorl’s coach Einar Johannsson allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was Olafur Olafsson with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. Thor Thorl (6-6) moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Grindavik at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. Thor Thorl will meet Keflavik (#6) on the road in the next round. Grindavik will play against Haukar in Hafnarfjordur and hope to secure a win. Bottom-ranked Snaefell (0-12) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 98-82 loss to ninth ranked IR (5-7) in Stykkisholmur. The winners were led by Matthias Sigurdarson who had that evening a double-double by scoring 18 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists. IR maintains ninth position with 5-7 record. Snaefell at the other side still closes the standings with 12 games lost. IR’s next round opponent will be league’s leader Stjarnan at home and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Snaefell will play against Njardvik (#10) in Njardvik and hopes to get finally their first victory.Important game to mention about took place in Borgarnes. Sixth ranked Skallagrimur (6-6) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 10th ranked Haukar (4-8) 104-102 on Thursday evening. The best player for the winners was Flenard Whitfield who had a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds. Skallagrimur moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Haukar lost third consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with eight games lost. Skallagrimur will face league’s second-placed KR in Reykjavik in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Haukar will play at home against Grindavik (#4) and hope to win that game. In the last game of round 12 Njardvik was defeated by Keflavik in a road game 80-73. Tindastoll – KR 87-94An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Sauoarkrokur. Third ranked KR faced second-best Tindastoll. Guests from Reykjavik (9-3) defeated host Tindastoll (9-3) 94-87. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Tindastoll. It looked good early as Tindastoll took a 21-point lead at the end of first quarter. But then KR took control and eventually winning the game that evening by 7 points. Tindastoll was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a good game for the former international guard Jon Stefansson (192-82) who led his team to a victory …

continue reading in source www.eurobasket.com