Rilski lost a drama in Kumanovo but is through to the semifinal

BC Rilski Sportist is the third semifinalist in EUROHOLD Balkan League. The team from Samokov lost away to KK Kumanovo 2009 101-107 in overtime drama but it was enough for them to qualify. The regular time finished with 12 points difference in favour for the hosts, just as was the score in the first game. That led to extra five minutes and in the last one the visitors managed to score more points and went through. In the semifinal Rilski Sportist will play KB Peja.

It was a very good start for Rilski as they took a 10-point lead with only four minutes played. The visitors continued to have the advantage until the end of the first quarter but the hosts managed to cut it and shortly after the start of the second quarter to take the lead. It didn′t last long as once again Rilski took over and went up by 4 points twice. However Kumanovo responded with two straight triples and then with were up by 4 at the break after scoring two baskets in a row to finish the first half.

The second started very well for the home team as with 3.30 played they had erased the first leg deficit as the lead raised to 12 points. Rilski though responded very well and soon were down only by 5. The difference went also to 4 but after 30 minutes Kumanovo was up by 7 and the game was still wide open.

In the fourth quarter two straight three-pointers by Marjan Janeski ignited the fans as the difference went to 10 points. Then the hosts followed with 4 more and with 6.14 minutes to go, they went up in the overall score. Then both teams continued to exchange points as the hosts took a 16-point lead while but Rilski cut it to 11. Then the teams exchanged more baskets and with 1.49 to play the difference went down to 9 points as Rakocevic made two free throws. Then again the teams exchanged 2 points so the margin remained the same before Kostoski scored an amazing three-pointer to tie the overall score with 28 seconds to play. In the next offense Rilski missed and since there was no time for Kumanovo, the game went to overtime.

With exactly one minute to go the difference was again 12 points as Rilski managed to score and cut it to 10. Then Kumanovo made a turnover and Gugino was fouled to make two free throws. It was unsportsmanlike foul but the visitors didn′t succeed in the offense but still there was no time for the hosts to do more and Rilski qualified for the semifinal.

Top scorer for the Rilski was Julian Norfleet with 25 points while Zarko Rakocevic added 22 and 8 rebounds.

For the home team Aleksandar Kostoski finished with 29 points and 7 assists as Branislav Djekic had 23 points and 13 rebounds.

---

FULL STATS FROM THE GAME KK KUMANOVO 2009 - BC RILSKI SPORTIST