25.02.2005

Paris Basket Racing 71 vs. BC Kyiv 72

BC Kyiv mustered a stunning comeback effort in Paris on Friday night as Lamarr Greer's final second free throws gave the Ukranian side a last gasp victory against Paris Racing Basket.

Kyiv did not make the FIBA Europe League play-offs last season, but under new head coach Renato Pasquali, they have become one of the top sides in the competition.

		Paris coach Gordon Herbert had harsh words for John Linehan after the game

After a close opening quarter, Paris' defense kicked in during the second period. The home side forced Kyiv into 8 turnovers in the quarter and held them to just 8 points. Luc-Arthur Vebobe (0 points and 8 rebounds in the first half) was everywhere for Paris and his side took a 44-31 lead into halftime.

Paris maintained the advantage in the third period, although Kyiv were able to cut the lead down to 6 (55-49) going into the fourth.

The Kyiv comeback effort continued to build momentum into the fourth and a tip-in by center Ioannis Giannoulis tied the game at 61-61 with just under 5 minutes on the clock.

A 5-0 run by Paris saw them take the lead (71-66), but Kyiv were not to be shaken off lightly. Lay-ups by Marcus Norris and Lamarr Greer brought the visitors back to 71-70 with only 19 seconds on the clock.

Paris had possession of the ball and Kyiv were forced to either go for the steal or foul. They opted to try to force a turnover and it was Edmunds Valeiko who came up with the steal (his 4th of the night) from Paris guard Clint Harrison.

The ball ended up in Lamarr Greer's hands and after a foul by John Linehan, Greer was given the chance to win the contest at the line.

It was a chance well taken by Greer, and his free throws lifted Kyiv to victory and into the quarter-final play-offs where they will face Strauss Iscar Nahariya.

Linehan, who missed 2 shots in the final 90 seconds as well as committing the foul on Greer was castigated in the post game press conference by coach Gordon Herbert, who called his actions "one of the most selfish things I have ever seen on a basketball court."

Greer was Kyiv's top scorer as he tallied 24, to go along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists.

26.02.2005

Quotes Paris Racing Basket vs. BC Kyiv

Gordon Herbert, Head Coach Paris Basket Racing:

“We had trouble with the zone. We are up by five, Victor Samnick made a great play in defense when Harrison had a shot. Then John Linehan tried to do things by himself…

I’m very, very upset. It’s one of the most selfish thing that I have ever seen in a basketball game, what he did. We lost and now it’s finished. I’m just disappointed cause the guys fought so hard. We had this won but we let it get away. This game will be hard to forget. We wanted to finish in the top four in our group and we accomplished what we wanted to reach."