Bulgaria – NBL Round 12: Academik Plovdiv is defeated by Balkan

TravisDaniels The most important game in the last round took place in Botevgrad between third ranked Academik Plovdiv (6-4) and fifth ranked Balkan (6-5) on Thursday night. Academik Plovdiv was crushed by Balkan on the road 94-74. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Academik Plovdiv. Balkan made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Balkan had a 29-16 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Academik Plovdiv’s players. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Travis Daniels (202-92, college: Mississippi St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds and the former international guard Stanimir Marinov (192-91, agency: Interperformances) who added 13 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals during the contest. The best for the losing side was French-American forward Jordan Semple (201-92, college: Chico St.) with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Balkan moved-up to fourth place. Academik Plovdiv at the other side keeps the third position with four games lost. Balkan will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Academik Plovdiv will play at home against Cherno More and is hoping to win this game. NBL top team – Lukoil Acad. (9-2) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat seventh ranked Cherno More (4-7) in Varna 86-75. The winners were led by Ukrainian power forward Maxym Korniyenko (205-87, agency: BeoBasket) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and Anthony Beane supported him with 12 points and 6 rebounds. Even 20 points and 7 rebounds by guard Stanislav Tsonkov (192-91) did not help to save the game for Cherno More. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending champion maintains first position with 9-2 record. Cherno More at the other side keeps the seventh place with seven games lost. Lukoil Acad.’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Sofia Levski. The game in Yambol supposed to be also quite interesting. Second ranked Beroe (8-3) played at the court of 8th ranked Yambol (3-7). Beroe smashed Yambol 83-57 on Friday. The best player for the winners was Brandis Raley-Ross who scored 14 points and 4 assists. Beroe’s coach Ljubomir Minchev felt very confident that he used 11 players saving starting five for next games. At the other side the best for losing team was Nikolay Varbanov who recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Beroe have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 8-3 record behind leader Lukoil Acad. Yambol lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with seven games lost. Beroe will meet at home Spartak Pleven (#5) in the next round. Yambol will play against Rilski in Samokov and it may be a tough game between close rivals. In the last game of round 12 Rilski won against Levski on the opponent’s court 78-61. Yambol – Beroe 57-83The game in Yambol supposed to be also quite interesting. Second ranked Beroe (8-3) played at the court of 8th ranked Yambol (3-7). Beroe …

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