Kataja Progress Despite Loss To Samara

Evgeny Kolesnikov added 10 points and 3 rebounds as Krasnye Krylia stayed perfect in the Regular Season

Joensuun Kataja went down to a 66-58 defeat to Krasnye Krylia Samara but progressed to the Last 16 of the EuroChallenge regardless as results went their way in Group B.

Kataja had put themselves in control of the battle for second place with victory over Keravnos last time out, and as CSU Asesoft Ploiesti topped Keravnos 90-87, they took second place despite the loss.

Samara, looking to finalise a perfect record in the group, controlled the contest before allowing Kataja to come back in the final 10 minutes.

The hosts scored the opening seven points of the contest and were up 13-2 on Chester Simmons' jump-shot.

Kataja stormed back, and after a 6-0 burst early in the second quarter they were back to within 20-18 on Jerald Fields' jumper.

But Viktor Zaryazhko's three started a 12-2 run to half-time that gave Krasnye Krylia a 35-23 lead.

It was 47-28 after a jump-shot from Aaron Miles midway through the third period, and 58-40 to start the final stanza as the Red Wings looked like cruising to the finish.

Kataja thought otherwise, however, and back-to-back threes from Antti Kanervo and Jermaine Flowers sparked a 12-1 run.

Petri Virtanen ended the game with a three for the visitors as they cut the deficit to a respectable eight.

Simmons led Samara with 15 points while Nikita Balashov and Evgeny Kolesnikov had 10 each.

Flowers poured in 18 for Kataja while Fields added 16 and Virtanen 10.

Quotes Krasnye Krylia vs. Joensuun Kataja

Krasnye Krylia head coach Sergey Bazarevich
"It's difficult to comment the game results when you see that players do not listen to your words. Especially this concerns my bench players. I don't know yet what teams we will meet in the Last 16, but anyway our goal is to reach the play-offs."

Krasnye Krylia player Evgeny Kolesnikov
"Our main aim was to get ready for the VTB United league game against Khimki. It's important that the bench players had an opportunity to play. Our team leaders managed to have a little rest. I hope our fans liked this game!"

Kataja head coach Jukka Toijala
"We had actually only 6 players ready for this game so we wanted to keep the tempo low, but in fact it was too low in the first quarter. But we came to a result that we wanted - we're in the Last 16, and we're happy and new challenges are waiting for us."

Kataja player Petri Virtanen
"We have many injured players now, 6 guys were playing, so we were lucky to keep the tempo low. Anyway, we definitely feel like winners today."

Quotes Krasnye Krylia vs. Joensuun Kataja

Krasnye Krylia head coach Sergey Bazarevich
"It's difficult to comment the game results when you see that players do not listen to your words. Especially this concerns my bench players. I don't know yet what teams we will meet in the Last 16, but anyway our goal is to reach the play-offs."

Krasnye Krylia player Evgeny Kolesnikov
"Our main aim was to get ready for the VTB United league game against Khimki. It's important that the bench players had an opportunity to play. Our team leaders managed to have a little rest. I hope our fans liked this game!"

Kataja head coach Jukka Toijala
"We had actually only 6 players ready for this game so we wanted to keep the tempo low, but in fact it was too low in the first quarter. But we came to a result that we wanted - we're in the Last 16, and we're happy and new challenges are waiting for us."

Kataja player Petri Virtanen
"We have many injured players now, 6 guys were playing, so we were lucky to keep the tempo low. Anyway, we definitely feel like winners today."