9th round of the Superleague started today in Kutaisi. Kote Tughushis team hosted Gia Kazanjiani’s Batumi and gained one of the most important victories of the current championship. Adjarian team used to be on the 2nd place with 5 victories and 3 defeats before this match. As for Kutaisians, they had just 3 wins after 7 matches and would be in a worse situation in case of losing today.
Quite tense, equal and interesting meeting finished with the victory of Kutaisi – 75:69. Imeretian club now has 4-4 wins and losses, which brings them closer to the higher part of the standings. The fate of the match was decided in the final quarter, at the decisive minutes, before which the score was almost equal. Kutaisi was a leader for a while and rarely the Adjarians were promoted.
4 minutes before the end, Kutaisians showed more accuracy and advanced thanks to the effectiveness of James Milliken, Shawn Roundtree, Beqa Beqauri and Giorgi Barbaqadze – 69:63. Kavin Malcolm and Levan Maskhulia reduced the difference to 2 points, however, James Milliken decided the fate of this match by scoring two and three-pointers in a row – Kutaisi advanced 74:67 and Batumians didn’t have time to save the game.
Beqa Beqauri led the winners with 18 points and 10 rebounds. James Milliken became a top-scorer with 19 points. Giorgi Barbaqadze collected 16 points. Shawn Roundtree had 14. Collin Malcolm was the most effective with 19 points and 12 rebounds in Batumi. Alexander Pevadze had 16 points and 7 rebounds. Nikola Vujovic scored 12 points and 8 rebounds.
Remaining 3 matches of the current round will be held on December 7, at Tbilisi Olympic Palace.
