In the VTB United League home game, Tsmoki-Minsk beat Kalev Tallinn in the overtime - 93:91 (OT) (23:16, 15:20, 14:14, 28: 30,13:11).
Starting fives
Tsmoki-Minsk: Angelo Warner, Yauheni Beliankou, Jason Clark, Darol Hernandez-Zinenko, Robert Upshaw.
Kalev: JeQuan Lewis, Davion Barry, Ojars Silins, Kristjan Kitsing, Rauno Burger.
Game scenario
In the previous match, Kalev beat the multiple champion of the league - CSKA, so it seemed to be a dangerous opponent, good at scoring from the distance. From the first minutes the Estonian team began to play very aggressively in offense, and the Dragons were forced to use up all team fouls too quickly. Easy points from the free throw line helped the guests to get ahead - 8:2. But gradually our guys adjusted their attacking game, and after 2 threes from Beliankou and Blizniuk the initiative passed to the Tsmoki-Minsk hands - 13: 9. By the way, Blizniuk was the scoring leader in the first quarter, he showed his partners an example of effective actions - Uladzislau scored 10 points. Tsmoki-Minsk finished the first quarter with a +7 lead.
Unfortunately, the next quarter was won by Kalev - 20:15. The game was divided into periods - from one time-out to another. Moreover, the team whose coach took it, gave out an effective spurt, clearly embodying the instructions of the mentors on the floor. Estonian players tightly closed Blizniuk, who could not add any point to his asset. But Tsmoki forward Beliankou made himself a team leader with 3 well-aimed long-range hits. At this time, Vitols and Kitsing from Kalev started to score from the perimeter also. Still, in this sniper firefight, Beliankou had the last word - Minsk team left for a half-time break with a slight advantage - 38:36.
The second half began with an unpleasant guest spurt 9: 0, and Rostislav Vergun took a minute for corrections - first of all - defense. The offense had to be improved as well. Insulting turnover helped the guests to equalize the score - 50:50, but Warner in the last seconds of the period gave the team a two-point advantage in the last seconds of the period.
If during the last half hour the game developed sinusoidally, when the opponents were scoring 6-10 points in a row, then in the final quarter a basketball «swing» began. Almost every successful throw brought leadership to one team, and then to another. Until the end, no one managed to break away at a comfortable distance. When 1.05 left before the final siren with an equal score on the scoreboard - 78:78 Roberts Stelmahers took a time-out. Lewis led the guests forward by the lay-up, but Warner responded in kind. The last seconds brought no luck to anyone - the game came into the overtime. Fortunately, the Dragons endured stoically this difficult moment, and Clark pulled the team closer to the opponent with a three-pointer. With 0.54 left, Warner had the opportunity to overtake the Estonian team, but missed both free throws. And yet it was Warner who turned from a possible antihero into a hero of the ending. By his activity, guard earned 4 more free throws and this time he implemented them clearly.
Denouement
2.02 before the end, Beliankou got the foul and immediately a technical foul from the Russian referee, so Yauheni was fouled out. Kalev got a great chance. Barry scored 4 free throws, and in the next attack Kitsing added 2 more from the line, and already the Estonian squad had "+4" - 90:86.
Prominent roles
Yauheni Beliankou performed a wonderful game. The forward scored 24 points, got all five three-point shots and five free throws scored, also made 8 rebounds and 1 assist.
The number
16 - so many offensive rebounds were made by Tsmoki-Minsk, that made it possible to carry out more second chance attacks than the opponent.
Scoring leaders
Tsmoki-Minsk: Yauheni Beliankou - 24 PTS + 8 REB + 1 AST, Jason Clark - 19 PTS + 3 REB + 2 AST, Angelo Warner - 18 PTS + 7 AST + 4 REB + 1 STL, Uladzislau Blizniuk - 12 PTS + 5 AST + 4 REB + 1 STL.
Kalev: Davion Barry - 25 PTS + 3 AST, Kristjan Kitsing - 17 PTS + 2 REB + 3 AST, Rauno Nurger - 12 PTS + 5 REB + 2 AST, JeQuan Lewis - 11 PTS + 8 AST + 4 REB + 3 STL, Ojars Silins - 10 PTS + 8 REB, Marcis Vitols - 10 PTS.
Rostislav Vergun - Tsmoki-Minsk Head Coach:
First of all, Kalev is a very high-quality and highly organized team with a very strong coach at the head. This year they show a very solid game in the Champions League and the last victory over the CSKA team says a lot, so it was very important for us to play today with the utmost concentration and discipline. It seems to me that, with the exception of a few situations, our players completed their task. There is definitely a lot that can be improved for the better, we have something to work on and we will move on. But today it is as it is and we must be able to rejoice at the first victory in the league, with which I’m congratulating the guys and thanking them for their dedication and fighting qualities.