Tampereen Hang On For Big Win

19 points in a winning effort for Tampereen Pyrintö: Damon Williams

Tampereen Pyrinto held off Sodertalje Kings in a thrilling finish to stay alive in Group C of the EuroChallenge with their first win.

Tampereen let slip a 12-point half-time lead in a dismal third-quarter but after finding themselves 60-57 down with seven minutes to go they came good once more and finished on an 8-1 run to take the win.

Winless Tampereen knew they needed to break their duck in this game or bid farewell to any remaining hopes of reaching the last 16, and things were looking good when Damon Williams' lay-up put them 29-18 up midway through the second period.

A three from Williams made it 38-26 at half-time but things then threatened to fall apart for the hosts.

Dino Pita came out of the locker rooms like a man possessed, hitting three three-pointers, the last one with a free throw to boot as he drew a foul, quickly making it 40-36.

Martin Pahlmblad then joined the party as the Kings quickly drew within three.

Tampereen held them off and reestablished a 53-45 lead on Lamonte Ulmer's free throw, but Pahlmblad's second three-pointer of the game started another Kings revival and they edged ahead, 58-57 on a Kenneth Simms dunk early in the fourth quarter.

The teams traded the lead and the Kings were up 62-61 on Pita's jump-shot with 5:28 to go.

Tampereen moved back in front but Pita brought it back to 65-64 with his 21st and final points of the game 4:20 from the buzzer.

That was the moment Tampereen finally put it to bed, however, Williams making a three-point play to start their run to the finish.

Ulmer led Tampereen with 24 points while Williams had 19.

Pita led the Kings with his 21 points while Simms had 16 and Toni Bizaca 15.

Quotes Tampereen Pyrintö vs. Södertälje Kings

Pyrintö head coach Ville Tuominen
"We played extremely well for 30 minutes. In the third period we got a bit tired and we didn't defend the passing lanes well and our ball pressure dissappeared.  In the fourth quarter we picked up our intensity on both ends of the court, played good basketball and got the win"

Pyrintö center Antti Nikkilä
"It was a good game and we played well. We came out with the right mentality and played agressive basketball especially under the basket. Our defense was great for most parts of the game."

Södertälje head coach Vedran Bosnic
"In the first half we were very passive, slow and our ball movement was poor. In the second half we started to put pressure and played like we are supposed to play, but in the end we didn't have enough energy. We lost this game under the basket as we got outrebounded by Pyrintö."

Kings center Kenneth Simms
"We got outrebounded. Pyrintö controlled the boards and in the end we just didn't have enough energy for a final push after falling behind in the first half." 

Quotes Tampereen Pyrintö vs. Södertälje Kings

Pyrintö head coach Ville Tuominen
"We played extremely well for 30 minutes. In the third period we got a bit tired and we didn't defend the passing lanes well and our ball pressure dissappeared.  In the fourth quarter we picked up our intensity on both ends of the court, played good basketball and got the win"

Pyrintö center Antti Nikkilä
"It was a good game and we played well. We came out with the right mentality and played agressive basketball especially under the basket. Our defense was great for most parts of the game."

Södertälje head coach Vedran Bosnic
"In the first half we were very passive, slow and our ball movement was poor. In the second half we started to put pressure and played like we are supposed to play, but in the end we didn't have enough energy. We lost this game under the basket as we got outrebounded by Pyrintö."

Kings center Kenneth Simms
"We got outrebounded. Pyrintö controlled the boards and in the end we just didn't have enough energy for a final push after falling behind in the first half."