Tsmoki-Minsk defeated Kalev Tallinn in overtime, 88-81 (16-16, 25-21, 19-17, 17-23, 11-4).
Top Scorers
Tsmoki-Minsk: Dru Joyce (27 + 6 assists), Justin Gray (15), Djordje Gagic (13 + 15 rebounds + 3 steals), Laimonas Kisielius (10)
Kalev: Demonte Harper (20 + 6 assists), Gregor Arbet (14), Vitali Liutych (12 + 11 rebounds), Sten Sokk (10)
Turning Point I
Thanks to Dru Joyce’s ‘3’ to end the first half, Minsk held a four-point lead at halftime.
The home team built on that momentum in the 3rd quarter, pushing the lead to 11, 54-43, on another ‘3’ from Joyce. Tsmoki would lead by 8-10 until early in the 4th…
Unsung Hero
Joyce’s 27 points captured the spotlight, but Minsk center Djordje Gagic had a monster game in the paint, pulling down 15 rebounds to go with 13 points.
He also came up with two huge steals in overtime and hit a key shot to give Tsmoki the lead late.
Turning Point II
Kalev mounted a late comeback, erasing a seven-point deficit, 75-68, with 3:01 to play.
Sten Sokk cut Tsmoki’s lead to one with a pair of free throws, before Joyce connected on a jumper to make it 77-74, 32 seconds on the clock.
On Kalev’s next possession, Erik Keedus found Harper in the corner and the American guard drained the ‘3’, sending the game to overtime.
Stat
10-21 – Tsmoki shot 48% from beyond the arc, led by Joyce’s 5-6 showing.
Turning Point III
The Estonians landed the first punch in overtime on a Harper jumper and led by three, 81-78, with 2:17 remaining.
After Kudrautsau made it a one-point game for Minsk, Gagic forced a key turnover and scored to give Tsmoki the lead, 82-81.
Kalev had several chances, but couldn’t connect from outside, allowing the home team to ice the win at the line, 88-81.
Quotes
Tsmoki-Minsk head coach Igor Grishchuk:
– I’m happy we won. It was tough, especially in the extra period. I think that everyone who came to the game left happy. We controlled the game almost the entire way and won in the end.
Kalev head coach Alar Varrak:
– It’s not easy to say something after a game like that, when you lose in overtime. Turnovers, missed 3-pointers, poor field-goal percentage – all of that played a big role.
Up Next
Tsmoki-Minsk: October 30 at UNICS
Kalev: October 31 vs. Astana
Snapshot
