Basketball specialists use to say that the third period is the most decisive in a match and in it a team is given real chance of gaining victory, a team which will manage to mobilize its power in 10-12 minutes will be able to gain more points and gain psychological superiority. “Armia” is not lucky exactly in the third period of the current Eurochallenge.
The match started in favor of “Armia” but finally “Hapoel” Unet Holon boosted their hopes of reaching the Last 16 of the EuroChallenge and ended those of “Armia” Tbilisi as they came from behind for a 79-72 road win.
Jerome Dyson poured in 31 points and Franklin Hassell had 19 with 12 rebounds, but winless “Armia” put up a strong fight before succumbing in the second half.
The hosts, knowing they needed a win and a big one to stay alive, started hot and led 22-10 on Marcus Faison's three-pointer late in the first quarter.
Faison's driving lay-up had them up 32-20 early in the second, but “Hapoel” found their touch and a 9-2 run, capped by Hassell's three-point play, cut the lead.
Giorgi Gamkrelidze's three made it 46-36 to “Armia” before Dyson cut the gap to eight at half-time.
“Armia” were up by 10 once more on a Curtis Millage three to make it 53-43, but “Hapoel” responded with a 16-4 run to the end of the third quarter, taking the lead on Dyson's three-pointer.
Dyson hit another three to start the fourth but Armia were not done yet, and used a 7-0 run to tie it 65-65 on Millage's free throws.
It was 69-68 to “Hapoel” after Gamkrelidze's three with 3:25 left, but a 10-4 charge to the finish secured the win.
Millage led “Armia” with 23 points while Wilson had 20, Gamkrelidze 12 and Faison 10.
Lawrence Hill also reached double figures for “Hapoel” with 11 points and eight rebounds. The win improves “Hapoel” to 3-1 in Group H.
Armia head coach Kote Tugushi
"Unfortunately we failed today. First of all I have to mention that we were unlucky today. At the beginning of the game Vladimer Boisa received very serious injury. I hope he will be back soon. We had big problems with rebounds. Despite many reasons, we fought today and did our maximum."
Armia guard Giorgi Gamqrelidze
"First of all I would like to thank our fans. They stood with us till the end of the game. About the game I can say that the players and coaches have done their best but Holon were stronger today. We made some mistakes during rebounds and were unlucky at the opponent's basket."
Two Eurochallenge matches are ahead “Armia”. Tugushi’s team is to visit Antverpen and then Bony. I hope that they will play well and will gain victory of prestige.
Armia (Tbilisi, Georgia) – Hapoel (Holon, Israel) 72:79
(28:17, 18:21, 11:21, 15:20)
Armia: Gamkrelidze (29 Minutes, 12 points, 7 assists, 3 rebs), A. Boisa (9 min, 1 r), V. Boisa (4min, 1r),Millage (36mins, 23p, 6a, 4r), Tsivtsivadze (6 min), Shellbom (9 mins 2 rebs), Fesion (32 mins, 10p, 3r, 2a, 1 block-shot), Sharabidze (18min, 4p, 3r, 1block-shot), Jgerenaia (12 min, 1p, 2r, 1b),Willson (36 mins, 20p, 8r, 1 steal),Pargalava (8mins, 2p, 2r).
Head coach: Kote Tugushi.
Hapole: Smith (35mins, 8p, 13r, 3a), Deniel (17mins, 1p, 2r), Hessel (29mins, 19p, 12r), Rozen (22mins, 4p, 3r), Parh (3min, 1r), Dyson (34min, 31p, 3r, 4a), Harush (27min, 5p, 3r, 4a), Hill (34, 11p, 8r, 3a).
Head coach: Dan Shamir
Gocha Kacharava
