BK ARMEX Decin vs. BK Patrioti Levice
77:70 (18:19, 39:34, 60:54)
Referees: Vondracek Marek, Jerab Jan, Vosahlik Marek (all CZE).
Audience: 720.
Venue: ARMEX Sportcentrum.
Scorers Decin: Autrey 19, Carlson 14, Pomikalek 14, Kroutil 7, Siska 6, Festr 5, Krakovic 5, Jezek 4, Grunt 3.
Scorers Levice: Ziak 17, Gacesa 17, Tomic 11, Katura 10, Davis 6, Bojanovsky 5, Krajcovic 4.
STATISTICS & GALLERY
It was the tallest guy on court, Boris Bojanovsky from Levice, who opened the game with a tough hook shot, but home leader Autrey answered with his first three-pointer to take a lead for the home team of Decin. Anyway, Gacesa and Ziak lead Levice to win first the ten minutes 18:19.
Levice started also second part better to get a seven point lead, as home team started to have good moments in defense and quick transition to get to numbers again. It was Pomikalek to close the first half with a free throw to get a five points advantage for the Czech side.
And the home team continued to score in the third quarter. But Gacesa, Ziak and Krajcovic made a scoring run to bring up Levice by one point (53:54). Anyway, the home team again had the better finish of the quatre and made 7-0 scoring run to lead 60:54 after 30 minutes.
Home captain Krakovic’s return after an anckle injury was important: He scortoed 5 points in a row, while Levice’s big guys let their team still hope, brought them back within six points (65:59). But in the end the home team took control of the game and finished calmly to a 77:70 win, while Autrey scoring a game-high 19 points.
Pavel Budinsky, head coach of Decin: “It was very nice game to open the season, where two different styles met. Our opponent showed his experience and matureness, they were able to punish our mistakes on defensive side, playing 5 on 5. We tried to play fast and it pretty much worked ou very well. It was 40 minutes of of physical play, our very tough start of official season and I hope we will continue to play this way on Sunday, when we host Hradec Kralove in our home league opener.”
Lamb Autrey, player of Decin: “We met a hard and agressive team. It was our first official game, that we have been waiting for a long time. Levice is experienced and tough team to play, but we showed from the very start that we can face them. I am excited for the team, no matter it was me who scored this time. I had a good feeling about our teamplay. Now let’s get ready for Sunday.”
Teo Hojc, head coach of Levice: “First of all congrats to the home team. They deserved to win, they played good basketball. I think we didn’t play bad either, it was first real test for us. At the end of the game we missed two free throws, we didn’t make two fast break. If we had scored in this situations, the game would have beeen even closer. The reason for that was our short bench, we played basically with just seven players and every quater we went down. So we need to do something about it. Decin was fresher, they were making shots and free throws. Again, congrats to them, thanks to the fans for great atmosphere and all the best to Decin for the season.”
Milan Ziak, player of Levice: “I think we didn’t play a bad game. We kept the home team on only little leadership. Only in the end they made few fastbreaks that made their run. I would like to thank our whole team. We played only with a few players, we fought till the end and we played a good game. We have to stay positive.”
