ULEB Cup. The labored victory20 november 2007

BC Khimki – the leader of Group D played against Skyliners from Germany, which is at the foot of the table. But it wasn’t easy drive for Moscow Region club. Nevertheless Khimki won — 81-69 (25-20, 17-15, 15-17, 24-17) and scored 2 points. Next Tuesday Bc Khimki will play in Poland against Anwil.
Top scorers: Fridzon (16), McCarty (15), Ewing (13).

In the roster of Skyliners there were only 8 players. BC Khimki continued to play without Lampe. The starting line was: Ewing, Fridzon, McCarty, Veremeenko, Wilkinson. Khimki had a strong start, as Fridzon and McCarty stroke from downtown while a basket by Ewing made the Skyliners call timeout at 10-5. Evtimov and Kirsten Zollner stepped up with 4 quick points but a three-point play by Vladimir Veremeenko and a layup by Mike Wilkinson kept Khimki ahead, 15-9. Garris had 5 points in a 0-7 run that gave the Skyliners a 15-16 edge. Veremeenko scored and Ewing stroke twice from downtown to make Khimki regain the lead, 25-20, after 10 minutes. Vladimir Dyachok and McCarty combined for all points in a 9-0 run that boosted Khimki's lead to 36-24 early in the second quarter. Garris and Allen hit respective three-pointers while Alex King and Maksym Shtein got the guests within 40-35. A final basket by Anton Ponkrashov gave Khimki a 42-35 halftime edge. Ewing followed a tough basket with a triple in a 7-2 opening run after the break that made the Skyliners call timeout at 49-38. Hunt stepped up with 5 points in a 0-10 run that Evtimov capped with a triple to get the Skyliners back in the game, 49-48. Dyachok and Fridzon hit free throws off a Khimki timeout but Evtimov kept the Skyliners close, 53-52. Nikita Shabalkin and Ponkrashov extended Khimki's lead to 57-52 after 30 minutes. Wilkinson fed Rannikko for his first basket and soon scored to force the Skyliners to call timeout at 63-55. Wilkinson kept pacing Khimki while Fridzon stroke from downtown to make it an 11-point game, 68-57, with 6 minutes to go. Evtimov and Rannikko traded triples while Fridzon allowed Khimki to keep a double-digit lead, 73-63, with 3 minutes remaining. The Skyliners ran out of time, while McCarty and Fridzon helped Khimki to cruise to a well-deserved win.

Press-conference

Murat Didin, the head coach of Skyliners:
— Now it is very difficult period for our team. Today we played without key players from starting line. In our roster there were only 8 players. But our guys wanted to win, they played with heart and such problems only unite the team. We are happy to visit Khimki. The gym, the atmosphere, the fans, the conditions are very good. And I wish BC Khimki good luck and reach the final.


Kestutis Kemzura, the BC Khimki head coach:
— I am happy because of the victory. I am satisfied with the result. In the difficult for us moment my guys gave not way to panic and gained the initiative. Before the match I was afraid that our players couldn’t dispose themselves on the tense struggle. I know Murat Didin since my work in Turkey and I understood, Didin wouldn’t surrender. I can mark Vitaly Fridzon and Mike Wilkinson.