Lukoil won in the first game but with only 3

Lukoil Academic won by 3 points (sport1.bg)

19-02-2008 21:31

Lukoil Academic defeated Ventspils 67-64 but those three points are only a slim advantage before the second leg in Latvia.

The game started typically for Lukoil - Pero Antic was scoring, Willie Deane was passing and the team took a 11-3 lead after almost 4 minutes of play. Then came bad moments for the hosts - in the next 4 minutes they were wondering what to do with the ball and the score became 13-12. Then the visitors managed to turn the things aroung and held 16-17 lead after one quarter.

The things didn't change for good as the visitors took a 24-16 lead. Akingbala made some nice blocks in that moments. Antic's dunk started a good run for Lukoil as they cut the deficit to 2. Then Canak made some nice plays and the hosts took a 34-33 lead at the break.

In the third quarter Lukoil Academic was in front by 1 to 3 points. Canak continued to play strong but from the other side Baxter showed his class as Ventspils retook a lead at 46-48. Then their lead went up to 5 points before the hosts scored a basket to make it 52-55 before the last ten minutes.

In the last quarter Lukoil started strong and after 4 minutes of play went up 61-55 with a 9-0 run. Then after another 3 minutes the lead went up to 67-56 after very good baskets by Mujezinovic who scored 9 points in the quarter. Then unfortunately came the poor moments. The hosts made stupid mistakes and allowed their visitors to come back and cut the deficit to only 3 points at the end of the game.

Pero Antic waas the best player on the pitch with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Canak added 13 points and Mujezinovic 10. The captain Todor Stoykov finished with 11.

For Ventspils very good game had Baxter with 15 points and Akingbala with 12 and 10 rebounds.

FULL STATS FROM THE GAME LUKOIL ACADEMIC - VENTSPILS

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