Prostejov Keep Lokomotiv Derailed

Eugene Lawrence BK Prostejov and Prostejov kept their Quarter-Final hopes alive with a tight win over Lokomotiv Kuban to pull level with the Russians at 1-2

Lokomotiv Kuban are supposed to be one of the favorites in the EuroChallenge yet the Russian club has played like anything but the last two weeks.

After falling at BC Oostende in their previous Last 16 Group L game, Kuban travelled to BK Prostejov and lost on Tuesday night, 67-66.

Mike Wilkinson's jump shot had tied the contest at 66-66 with 34 seconds to go for Lokomotiv but the same player was called for travelling with eight seconds to play after he had grabbed the rebound off a missed lay-up by Eugene Lawrence.

Lionel Chalmers was then called for a foul on Lawrence with a second remaining and the American guard that was named EuroChallenge Player of the Week last time out hit the game-winning free-throw.

With 10 minutes to go, all appeared to be going according to play for Kestutis Kemzura's side.

Lokomotiv had opened a 53-44 advantage early in the fourth quarter when Alando Tucker made one of two at the stripe.

The lead ballooned to 59-48 with 6:46 to play on a dunk by Maxim Sheleketo.

Prostejov came back and went in front 64-62 on a three-ball from Benas Veikalas, though.

After Jeremiah Massey tied it with a jump shot, Veikalas struck again but this time from inside the arc.

Wilkinson's jumper pulled the Russian team level but his turnover proved costly at the end.

The result leaves both sides with 1-2 records in Group L along with BC Zadar while Oostende are top with a 3-0 mark.

Lawrence finished with 19 points and Veikalas 16.

Massey scored 23 for Kuban, who lost despite out-rebounding the hosts 45-33.

Quotes BK Prostejov vs. Lokomotiv Kuban

Kuban Head Coach Kestutis Kemzura:
"First of all, I have to congratulate Prostějov. They got a great win and it is a big upset for us. It just one more time proves the unwritten rule that you have to win on the court and you have to play hard for the whole forty minutes, not just parts of the game. We started the game well, but later we had some ups and downs and that loss of concentration cost us the win."

Prostejov Head Coach Peter Bálint:
"My evaluation would be similar to Mr. Kemzura's. It was really an up and down game, we had ten points lead, they got nine. There were a number of mistakes on both sides. We knew that Kuban is very strong in offensive rebounding. Despite that, they managed to make nineteen rebounds. That put us down a lot. We played very good defense, 66 points from such a team is not bad. I am very glad for this win, it will be very valuable."

Prsotejov Player Eurgene Lawrence:
"It was a very tough game, Kuban was coming off a loss, just like us. Both teams were very excited for the game. Kuban had a big lead, but we managed to tie up. The biggest moment, in my opinion, was Veikalas' three-pointer. That gave us a big momentum shift and we knew we could win."