Levski win in Bulgaria to prepare for Bucharest

In a very interesting and nice game to watch Bulgarian BIBL participant Levski defeated Yambol in the first fixture for both teams from the second phase of the local National Basketball League - 112-84. For the winners successful debut in Bulgaria made Charles Jones, Arnas Kazlauskas and Boyko Mladenov who were signed in the transfer window.
 
The game started in an even way but the guests had a little advantage. As usual in those minutes Stanislav Govedarov was the best for them in those minutes as he had a very good game overall. In the first quarter there was a little confusion in Levski`s play maybe because of the fact that Jones was playing his first game in place of Marcus Hall. After this first quarter Yambol was ahead 31-28.
 
After Marcus Hall came in in the second quarter Levski managed to tie the score but unfortunately for them Stefan Georgiev made a lot of fouls in this minutes and so under the basket the team had to rely on the veterans Morton and Kazlauskas. After a dramatic second quarter the teams were just about to go tied at the break before Martin Durchev scored a three-pointer to make the score 53-56 in favour of Yambol after the first 20 minutes.
 
After the break the game continued to be so even and intense. Govedarov and Sanders were playing very well for the visitors while the surprise for Levski came from Pavel Ivanov. He entered the game in the second half and after his and Hall`s good performance the hosts managed to take a 77-71 lead after the third quarter.
 
In the last quarter the powers of Yambol`s players were gone and Levski managed to increased the advantage by 22 points to win by 28 in total. By this win The Blues again went to second place just a win more ahead of Spartak Pleven.
 
The top scorer for Levski was Marcus Hall with 27 points adding also 8 assists. Perfect game had Pavel Ivanov who for only 12 minutes scored 17 points contributing hugely for the win. Arnas Kazlauskas also had 17 in his debut in the Bulgarian championship while Stanislav Slaveykov and Dwyane Morton both scored 14.
 
For Yambol once again with a double-double finished Byron Sanders - 23 points and 16 rebounds. Govedarov scored 19 points while Pavel Marinov had 18 and 4 rebounds.

Levski will play in the derby game of NBL next week in Pleven against Spartak in a battle for second place while Yambol will host Euroins Cherno More.
 
Before those games The Blues from Sofia will travel to Bucharest to meet Dinamo in a game from Group B of the Eurohold Balkan League.