12.12.2006

Pyrrhic Victory For Khimik

Khimik sealed a last-gasp 68-67 in their final Group B EuroCup match at BC Barons but the victory was a pyrrhic one, with both sides eliminated.

Yaroslav Zubrytskyy, who would finish with a 14-point haul, sealed victory for the men from Ukraine seven seconds from the buzzer with the last scoring shot, a jump shot.

		Alton Mason's 22 points were not enough for BC Barons

Only three scoring shots were made in the closing four and a half minutes - earlier the lead had constantly changed hands.

With three minutes and 15 seconds remaining, Zubrytskyy had drained an earlier jump shot and there were no more baskets for nearly two more minutes.

Then Alton Mason converted a layup with 1:21 on the clock to give the hosts back the lead and hope of bowing out of the competition with their first win.

It was not to be as Zubrytskyy had the final word.

It may be scant consolation but Mason's 22 points ensured he took game high scoring honours while the leading rebounder was another BC Barons player, Kaspars Berzins, who grabbed seven boards.

Berzins also contributed 15 points as did Maris Gulbis.

Khimik's points were far more evenly distributed and, in addition to Zubrytskyy's 14 points, Andriy Korochkin managed 10 points.

It all ensured that Barons finish with a 0/6 record while Khimik's 3/3 result left them third behind Group winners Dynamo Moscow Region and Spirou Charleroi.