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Slovakia – SBL Round 23: Inter Bratislava lose to Kosice
- Updated: January 8, 2017
Michal Batka There was no lack of interesting games this round. The round ended with loss of the undefeated team and favorites losing the games.The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Inter Bratislava (17-4) at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by Kosice (18-3) 88-80. It was a key game for the top position in the league. 25 personal fouls committed by Inter Bratislava helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for the former international center Michal Batka (204-87) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds. American guard Ladarius White (198-92, college: Mississippi) helped adding 13 points and 5 rebounds. The former international Tomas Mrvis (200-91, agency: 011 Sports) responded with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kosice have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Inter Bratislava at the other side dropped to the second place with four games lost. Kosice are looking forward to face Prievidza (#4) on the road in the next round. Inter Bratislava will play against Handlova in MBK Handlova and is hoping to win this game. Important game to mention about took place in Levice. Fifth ranked Iskra Svit (12-10) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 3rd placed Levice (15-6) 78-76 on Saturday evening. It was an exceptional evening for American point guard Evan Singletary (185-94, college: Albany) who led the winners and scored 24 points and 4 steals. Anton Shoutvin accounted for 15 points and 5 rebounds. Serbian forward Zarko Djuric (202-89) came up with 16 points and 9 rebounds for Levice in the defeat. Iskra Svit maintains fifth place with 12-10 record. Levice at the other side keeps the third position with six games lost. Iskra Svit will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Levice will play on the road against Nova Ves and hopes to get back on the winning track. Prievidza (#4) was upset in Prievidza by eighth ranked Handlova 86-81. The best player for the winners was Nemanja Gudzic who had a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. Andre Jones produced 24 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Newly promoted Handlova maintains eighth place with 9-12 record. Defending champion Prievidza keeps the fourth position with five games lost. Handlova will meet at home league’s second-placed Inter Bratislava in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Prievidza will play against the league’s leader Kosice and will have a slim chance for a victory.A very interesting game took place in Nitra. It ended with only two-point home defeat of 10th ranked Nitra (2-19) to ninth ranked Karlovka (6-16) 90-88 in the game for the ninth place. Dalibor Hlivak orchestrated the victory by scoring 25 points. Nitra’s coach Peter Seman rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Karlovka maintains ninth place with 6-16 record. Nitra lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 19 games lost. Karlovka’s next round opponent will be league’s leader Kosice at home and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Seventh ranked Lucenec (9-11) beat at home 11th ranked Nova Ves (2-19) by 8 points 107-99, which is the biggest margin this round on Saturday night. Worth to mention a quality performance of Rashun Davis who helped to win the game recording 31 points and 4 steals (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). Nova Ves’ coach David Demecko tested ten players, but that didn’t help to avoid defeat in this game. Newly promoted Lucenec maintains seventh place with 9-11 record. Loser Nova Ves stay dead last with 19 lost games. Lucenec will face higher ranked Rieker KN (#6) in Komarno in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Nova Ves will play at home against Levice (#3) and hope to win that game. Prievidza – Handlova 81-86Prievidza (#4) was upset in Prievidza by eighth …
