Lukoil Academic won the derby

29-01-2011 19:14

Lukoil Academic won the derby of Bulgarian League against Levski and decided the first place in the regular season. The champions won 93-85 and now have 3 wins over its biggest rival. This means that only a miracle can prevent Lukoil from finishing top in the league before the playoffs.

The first quarter was an even one with Lukoil leading for most of the time. However in the last second Donald Cole scored and Levski went in front for the first time at 20-19. The second quarter started with a 3-pointer by Bruno Sundov but then Priest Lauderdale tied the score at 22. What followed then was a big run by Lukoil Academic who scored 11 straight points and took a double digit lead at 33-22. Levski cut the deficit to 4 points but after the first half the hosts had a 49-41 lead.

Levski started good the second half and in the middle of it managed to take a 3-point lead. However the team led once again this advantage sleap away and allowed the hosts to make a 10-0 run that made the score 70-63. Levski scored the last 4 points in the quarter and it finished with the hosts in front 70-67.

Tencho Banev scored the first 4 points of the last quarter and then Jason Crowe hit a three for 74-70 for the hosts. What followed was another strong play from Lukoil and more poor minutes for Levski. The hosts made a 15-0 run that all but decided the game.

Brandon Heat and Todor Stoykov were the top scorers for the winners with 16 points while Devin Green added 14.

For the visitors Aaron Harper reminded about himself and scored 31 points while Jason Crowe had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Priest Lauderdale had 12 points before fouling out after playing 17 minutes.

FULL STATS FROM LUKOIL ACADEMIC - LEVSKI GAME