Coincidentally all visitors won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most interesting game of round 13 was a derby match between two teams from Belgium. Second ranked Belfius Mons-Hainaut won against host Kortrijk (3-8) 100-88. Belfius Mons made 23-of-28 free shots (82.1 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for Belfius Mons especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.9 percentage. Slovenian Leon Santelj (205-1995, agency: HKK MOSTAR) fired 27 points and 5 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners. American guard Conley Garrison (185-1999, college: Furman) chipped in 21 points and 6 assists (made all of his eleven free throws !!!). Niels De Ridder (195-2001) produced 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Kortrijk’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Belfius Mons-Hainaut (10-1) have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Leuven. Newly promoted Kortrijk dropped to the seventh place with eight games lost. They share the position with Yoast United. Belfius Mons is looking forward to face league’s leader Leuven at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Kortrijk will play against Yoast United (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Den Bosch. Second ranked Belgian Spirou Charleroi faced 4th placed Dutch Den Bosch. Guests from Charleroi (7-2) defeated host Den Bosch (4-5) 77-69. Worth to mention a great performance of Dutch center Nathan Kuta (203-2000) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 10 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. Quinten Smout contributed with 16 points for the winners. Spirou Charleroi’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American guard Austin Price (193-1995, college: Lehigh) answered with 21 points and 7 steals for Den Bosch. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Spirou Charleroi. They maintain second place with 7-2 record having just two points less than leader Leuven. Den Bosch at the other side dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. They share it with ZZ Leiden. Charleroi will play against ZZ Leiden (#7) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Den Bosch will play against Antwerp and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Belgian undefeated leader Oostende delivered the ninth consecutive victory on Wednesday night. This time they beat 6th ranked Dutch ZZ Leiden (4-5) 86-68. Khalil-Ullah Ahmad stepped up and scored 22 points and 5 assists for the winners. Oostende’s coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side Tajion Jones responded with 15 points and 4 assists. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Oostende. Defending Belgian champion maintains first place with 9-0 record. ZZ Leiden lost their third game in a row. Defending Dutch champion keeps the sixth position with five games lost. They share it with Den Bosch. Oostende will meet at home Groningen (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. ZZ Leiden will play against the league’s second-placed Charleroi and hope to secure a win.
