Krasnoyarsk Scrape Home Win Over Asesoft Ploiesti

Denis Belyaev made two free-throws in the closing seconds to earn Enisey Krasnoyarsk a 74-73 victory over CSU Asesoft Ploiesti.

In the EuroChallenge Group E clash, the Russian outfit, spurred on by a 3,500 strong crowd in Krasnoyarsk, trailed 73-72 with 38 seconds remaining after a jump shot by Arvydas Cepulis of Ploiesti.

But the hosts went back in with Belyaev's contribution at the charity stripe and claimed a narrow win.

Lionel Chalmers had 15 points, eight assists and five rebounds in victory while Arvydas Cepulis and Catalin Burlacu each had 18 points in defeat.

Enisey Krasnoyarsk fell behind by nine points with three minutes remaining in the first half but closed the frame with a 10-3 run and trailed only 35-33 at the break.

After taking the lead midway through the third quarter, the Krasnoyarsk club opened up its biggest advantage with 8:20 remaining in the contest when Chalmers made a lay-up for a 61-55 lead.

Ploiesti held their nerve and continued to battle, twice going back in front before Belyaev's game-clinching free-throws.

Quotes Enisey Krasnoyarsk vs. CSU Asesoft Ploiesti

Vladimir Arnautovich, head coach Ploesti:
"we controlled 80% of the game but unfortunately lost, even though we deserved victory. In the last Enisey offence we lost concentration and also made a few mistakes before that. I am satisfied with the way team played, but not with the result. The breakpoint in the game happened when Frederick Warrick made 3 3-poit shots in a row, which brought Enisey back on track. We knew what to expect from players, who is going to make 3-point shots and who will do layups, but Warrick did the right thing in the right moment and helped his team."

Kevin Burleson, ASEsoft Ploesti pointguard:
"we were ready for the game and played hard. But the mistakes in mentality caused the result that we have."

Ainars Bagarskis, Enisey head coach:
"Congratulations to everybody! That is a historic victory! We were stronger in the end, eve though we could have made it better, should have kept the difference and win by 4 or even 6 points. Good statistics - 10 turnovers in the game, but 3 of them in the end. Good game of Denis Belyayev who keeps getting better from game to game and in the end brought us the winning point. The end of the game was nervous, that can be explained by the fact that we were tired and the excitement of the new championship. Chalmers was playing after injury, Anisimov had an injury recently. But the good thing is that we have people who did not play for a while. From now on we will be getting better and better with every game."

Frederick Warrick, Enisey point guard:
"we had strong opponents today with good big players. The game was physically hard and nervous. I felt the shot from the beginning of the game, even when I missed a few times, but the main thing was to keep the confidence and keep shooting, as a result it was alright in the end.