Finland – Korisliiga Round 21 of Regular Season

Rion Brown The game in Nokia was quite interesting. Third ranked Joensuun Kataja (11-6) played at the court of 6th ranked BC Nokia (8-13). Joensuun Kataja managed to secure a 9-point victory 79-70 on Saturday. The guests took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But BC Nokia won third quarter 16-11. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Joensuun Kataja looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Joensuun Kataja made 7 blocks. American Rion Brown (198-91, college: Miami, FL) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and the former international point guard Teemu Rannikko (189-80) chipped in 21 points and 6 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). The best for the losing side was center Daniel Dolenc (205-93) with 12 points and 6 rebounds. BC Nokia’s coach Ilpo Rantanen rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Joensuun Kataja maintains third place with 11-6 record having five points less than leader Helsinki Seagulls. BC Nokia at the other side dropped to the seventh position with 13 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest. The game in Tampere was also worth to mention about. Second ranked Salon Vilpas (15-4) played at the court of 6th ranked Tampereen Pyrinto (8-12). Salon Vilpas managed to secure a 6-point victory 77-71. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Tampereen Pyrinto. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Desmond Williams (199-91, college: S.Connecticut) nailed a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds for the winning side and Al’Lonzo Coleman accounted for 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Forward J’Nathan Bullock (196-87, college: Cleveland St.) came up with 15 points and 9 rebounds for Tampereen Pyrinto in the defeat. Salon Vilpas have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain second place with 15-4 record having just one point less than leader Helsinki Seagulls. Tampereen Pyrinto at the other side keeps the sixth position with 12 games lost. Salon Vilpas will play against Kouvot (#8) in Kouvola in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Tampereen Pyrinto will play at home against Lapuan Korikobrat and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Fifth ranked Lapuan Korikobrat (10-9) crushed at home 8th ranked Kouvot (7-11) by 20 points 81-61, which is the biggest margin this round on Friday night. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. The best player for the winners was Jamal Jones who scored 27 points. At the other side the best for losing team was Steven Pledger who recorded 27 points and 5 rebounds. The victory was the third consecutive win for Lapuan Korikobrat. Lapuan Korikobrat moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Kauhajoki. Defending champion …

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