Rilski Sportist goes to a 2-2 record in the NBL

Lilov with a 34 efficiency rating

01-11-2008 22:13

Rilski Sportist put an end to their 2 game losing streak in the National Basketball League (NBL) and expectedly beat CSKA at home 93-81.

The players of Macedonian coach Aleksandar Todorov had started off with a win away in Pleven, but had lost treir next two games (with Lukoil Academic and Levski). But today they faced CSKA and didn't miss the opportunity to achieve their second victory. The 2-2 record means Rilski Sportist is now tied for 3-rd place with another 3 teams (Euroins Cherno More, Levski and Yambol), just behind the two leading teams - Lukoil Academic (4-0) and Spartak Pleven (3-1).

Ivan Lilov had a fantastic game tonight. It was definitely his best performance since he joined the team from Samokov just before the start of the season. He hit 5 three pointers for a total of 25 points, and showed his versatility as well, adding 5 assists, 4 steals and 4 rebounds. The two Serbs on the home team's roster - Branko Mirkovic and Dragoslav Papic - scored 15 points each, while veteran Leven Belberov notched up 11 off the bench.

The home team started strongly and even led by double digits after the very first quarter – 28-18. During most of the second period they were still dominant, but then failed to score anything in the last 3 minutes before half-time, so CSKA cut their advantage to just a single point – 45-44. The third quarter saw the decisive break by Rilski Sportist, who built an advantage again and kept it for the rest of the game. In the last 10 minutes the visitors did their best to stay in the game, but it proved too much for them.

The players of Rilski Sportist had a great night of long distance shooting - 11 for 20 three-pointers (44.0 %). That was enough to make amends for the poor free throw percentage – just 55.6 % (10 for 18).

For the team from Sofia center Krum Doychinov had a good come-back, after missing CSKA's previous game (away at Lukoil Academic) because of an injury. Tonight he had his second double double of the season – 15 pts and и 12 rbs. But it was Bulgarian national team guard Jordan Bozov that lead the scoring for the visitors with his 21 points. Milos Sakota was the third "double digit Serb" of the game with 19. Sergey Tsvetkov once again justified coach Rosen Barchovski's confidence in him - he had 15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. All of that proved insufficient to beat Rilski Sportist though, especially in front of the home supporters in Samokov.

Next Friday CSKA host the team of Yambol in a must win game. Rilski Sportist are going to Varna to play Euroins Cherno More on Saturday, but only after their very interesting home game in Group B of the Balkan League versus Levski on Wednesday.

FULL STATS OF THE RILSKI SPORTIST - CSKA GAME