Rob Preston punished Rilski sportist

Rob Preston

16-03-2008 20:51

The team of Levski managed to take a 1-0 lead in the ¼ final series against Rilski Sportist in the Cup of Bulgaria. In even game the hosts came out happier in the end winning 89-85. Despite the injury problems the team of Rilski Sportist played good and only some naïve mistakes proved them costly for this tough loss.

The visitors from Samokov started better and had the lead. However Levski hit back and took it but to end of the first quarter the game was even and the score after ten minutes was 24-24.

The second quarter started with an advantage for Levski, 31-26. Rilski Sportist cut it to 31-30 and then followed a few minutes with the score close. In the final minute of the half the hosts made a good run and took a 47-40 lead after two quarters.

After the break the visitors started strong and after 7-0 run tied the game. Levski took the lead again but after some good attack Rilski Sportist went in front and held an advantage from 3 points before the last 10 minutes.

The last quarter was very nervous as both teams didn’t play attractive basketball. The game was tied at 85-85 with 1.10 to go when Rob Preston scored a 3-pointer that practically sealed the win for his team as Aleksandar Gruev missed a chance to tie the game again in the next offense. Stefan Georgiev’s free throw set up the final score and gave Levski the win.
The second game in this Best of Three series is Tuesday in Samokov.

Stefan Georgiev was the top player in the game with 23 points and 8 rebounds. Asen Velikov and Yulian Radionov added 16 and 14 points respectively.

The captain of the visitors Aleksandar Gruev was the top scorer for his team with 20 points as all the five starters scored in double figures.

FULL STATS FROM THE GAME LEVSKI - RILSKI SPORTIST