BK Patrioti Levice vs. Egis Körmend
82:79 (19:25, 40:36, 63:61)
Referees: Tomašovič, Margala, Turčin (all SVK).
Audience: 500
Venue: Športová hala Levice (SVK).
Scorers BK Patrioti Levice: Williams 23, Davis 19, Gačeša 16, Žiak 10, Danielič 6, Štefek 5, Krajčovič 3.
Scorers Egis Körmend: Bradford 15, Delas 14, McNeail 14, Hammonds 13, Ferencz 12, Oroszi 5, Németh 4, Lajsz 2.
Gallery & Statistics
Home team started without three players – Alexander, Bachan and Bojanovský. Visitors were missing Price, but first quarter was in their hands. Egis played fast, with easy and effective game they were most of the time in the lead. Levice was still on the hunt, but after first quarter they were trailing 19:25. Good three-point percentage was the key for Körmend in the second period, but Levice started to play much better. Williams was the key player in these moments, three minutes before the halftime break Danielič equaled the score of the game – 36:36. Levice gain the advantage, after 20 minutes they were leading 40:36.
Patrioti continued to play good also after the break, in one moment they were leading by eleventh points. But Egis did not gave up, they had still their chance to win, after three quarters it was 63:61 for home team. Last quarter it was battle for each point, Davis was the leader for home team. In a dramatic end Körmend was in small lead, but Levice made the crucial shots. In the end they made crucial stops, with 82:79 win they have still chance to get play off spot.
Teo Hojč, head coach of Levice: “I am happy with my team, how they were fighting, because of the small rotations and we were missing some players. It was very tough for ous, but also young guys showed character. They fight and brought win to our home crowd. This match was important, we got it in our hand against Graz, if we want to clinch the spot from this tough group. We managed to win against strong team, which makes me happy.”
Bryan Williams, player of Levice: “Very good game, they played very fast, which was good for us. Very important win, we gain self-confidence before upcoming league games. I hope, that we will continue play like that.”
Matthias Zollner, head coach of Körmend: “I think, we did not play very well, especially we had too many turnovers. But we still got a chance to win. It was a good test for us, we figured out, in which things we got to improve. Congratulations to Levice, they have it in their hands.”
Leyton Hammonds, player of Körmend: “I think, that Levice played very good. We started sloppy in the beginning of first and second half. The key was, that they were playing more aggresive then us. We did not match them.”