Lokomotiv Inflict First Defeat On Oostende

BC Oostende suffered their first defeat in EuroChallenge Group L as they went down 70-62 in a tough battle away to Lokomotiv Kuban.

Lokomotiv made their intentions clear by scoring the first 12 points of the game and they led 24-8 in the first quarter.

The hosts continued to hold a double-digit advantage for most of the game but Oostende looked to pull off an upset as they used a 9-0 run, capped by Marcus Faison's three-pointer, to claw their way back to a one-point deficit, 50-49, with a little over seven minutes to go.

Jeremiah Massey responded with a three for Lokomotiv, and then Lionel Chalmers hit another bomb, making it 56-51, after Caleb Green had responded with a jump-shot for Oostende.

The threes kept raining in for Lokomotiv, with Chalmers adding another before Alexey Surovstev was successful from long range to make it 62-53 with 3:32 to go.

Oostende continued to battle, but could not find a way back from there against a team that finished with shooting figures of 10-of-26 (38.4%) from three-point range.

Chalmers finished with 22 points while Massey had 17 and Michael Wilkinson 11.

Green led Oostende with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Mitchell added 14 points and Faison had 12.

Oostende drop to 4-1 while Lokomotiv climb into second place at 3-2.

Quotes Lokomotiv Kuban vs. BC Oostende

BC Oostende Head coach Jean-Marc Jaumin:
"Lokomotiv dominated every part of the game in the first half. Kuban is a very talented team with very good scoring options so we had some problems in the start of the game. We had big problems in our defence and offence. But in the second half we started playing better and we had a chance to win the game. However I am happy that we have lost by just eight points and not more."

BC Oostende player Caleb Green:
"We came to play against a good team, we fell in a first half but managed to come back and secure a 9-point game, so we are in the first place in group. It is very important for us. We came to win, of course, but I'm pretty happy that we maintained our aim."

PBC Lokomotiv Kuban Head coach Kestutis Kemzura:
"We have won the game but I am not satisfied with the result. We would like to win by more than 10 points and to even the score. We were able to do it. We started perfectly. We were well-prepared, well-focused before the game as we wished. The first quarter was the best one for the whole season. But it's very difficult to play 40 minutes in so fast way. Besides, the opponents started playing zone defense. All this made us weaker. We lost our concentration and the opponent used a benefit from our tiredness."

PBC Lokomotiv Kuban player Lionel Chalmers:
"Our start was very strong and we surprised our opponent with our aggressive play. We expected a tough game because we played against a very good team. Unfortunately we fall down next. Belgians are very confident team and they managed to return their game while we had relaxed. I am happy that we have won but I am disappointed with our loss of the chance to occupy the first place in the group."