PARMA take down Kalev at home – 85:74 (23:16, 14:18, 19:28, 29:12).
Top scorers
PARMA: Arnett MOultrie (19 + 6 rebounds), Mareks Mejeris (12 + 6 rebounds), Maxim Grigoryev (12), Lorenzo Williams (10 + 5 assists).
Kalev: Kristjan Kitsing (18 + 6 rebounds), Aigars Skele (18 + 5 assists), Kyle Vinales (17 + 5 assists), Janari Joesaar (12 + 5 rebounds).
Story
Kalev came to Perm as one of the League leaders. Tallinn had 3-1 record, and PARMA in contrast lost their first three games. Thus it was curious to note that the hosts were favored to win this one. And they started to live up to the expectations in the very beginning of the game. Lorenzo Williams and Arnett Moultrie made a starting run scoring PARMA’s first 19 points reaching the double digit lead in the first quarter – 19:7.
The Estonians, however, woke up. They turned on tight defense, Kyle Vinales got 9 points for the team, Kristjan Kitsing was active in the paint (10 points). The started coming back even without the perimeter offense (2 of 11 from beyond the arc). Kalev managed to reach one-shot margin by the break (37:40). The second half started with long range shots made by Skele and Kitsing. Tallinn found their hot spots. With 6 of 9 three-pointers in the second half, they took the lead – 62:56.
Perm big men decided the final quarter. Moultrie and Mejeris made 11:2 run, getting the lead back – 69:68. They managed to retain this attitude in the end of the game. Grigoryev’s three-pointer and Mejeris’ dunk decided the game as PARMA took 6-point lead 78:72. This was enough to win. Tactic fouls of the last second allowed the hosts to even increase the lead.
Hero
Mareks Mejeris was a genuine X-factor in the final quarter when he scored 7 points, made 4 rebounds and 1 assist. He is the most efficient PARMA player with 18 efficiency points.
Stat
18. Kalev had been leading the League in turnovers by the tip-off of this game (9.0). But tonight Tallinn hit its season worst result letting PARMA score 19 off turnovers.
Comment
PARMA head coach Kazys Maskvytis:
Thanks to our fans and congrats on the first win finally! We gave it all tonight. The game was intense, and I’m happy with my team’s performance in the fourth quarter.
Kalev head coach Roberts Stelmahers:
A defeat is always tough, but tonight I believe we lost to a really good team. I guess we were broken in the fourth period which defined the result. Maybe we lacked stamina or something else, but it’s about tactics. I have to note that PARMA had more time to prepare. I liked playing in Molot with its great atmosphere and great fans.
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