Minsk Hang On For Last 16 Slot

Aliaksandr Kudrautsau and Tsmoki-Minsk came up big in France, stealing the game and a berth in the Last 16

Tsmoki-Minsk held off a late Nancy rally to win 63-57 in France and snatch a Last 16 place in the EuroChallenge from their hosts.

In a head-to-head battle for second place in Group G, Minsk dominated the third quarter to take control of the game, and then hung on as Nancy came back at the finish.

They led almost from start to finish but it was only a narrow advantage until late in the second quarter.

Then they went on a 12-0 spurt that spanned the half-time interval to lead 39-26 on Aliaksei Lashkevich's jump-shot.

Jajuan Smith hit a pair of free throws late in the third quarter that made it 48-33 and Minsk looked to be cruising.

When Aliaksandr Pustahvar made it 57-39 with a lay-up 5:51 from time it appeared to be all over but Nancy had other ideas and Torrell Martin's three-pointer sparked a 13-2 run that made it 59-52 with 2:16 left.

Aliaksandr Kudrautsau's jump-shot stopped the flow and then Kenny Grant missed a three as Nancy's charged stalled.

Martin closed the gap to 61-54 with 70 seconds left, but when he missed a three with 15 seconds left, the game was getting away from them, and Smith iced it from the free throw line.

Ater Majok led Minsk with 11 points while Kudrautsau had 10.

Marcellus Sommerville had 15 points for Nancy, while Martin had 11.

Quotes SLUC Nancy vs. Tsmoki Minsk

Minsk player Ja Juan Smith
"We focused on what we had to do: winning. This was our goal at the beginning of the season. We played as a team in defense. It was a tough game, every shot was contested. Both teams played a battle, and in the end we won the battle."

Minsk head coach Andrei Krivonos
"For both teams it was the last chance to qualify. It was our last opportunity to reach the Last 16. We played with great concentration. There were many mistakes on both sides. We had prepared for a hard match, and everything we said before, we did it."

Sluc rlayer Kenny Grant
"It was an opportunity to go ahead in our game. This turned out to be a huge deception. Minsk controlled the match. Their third quarter was powerful, we came back but it was too late. We had too many turnovers. We had some opportunitues to score but we missed too many shots. We knew it wouldn't be easy. It's a great pity."

Sluc head coach Jean-Luc Monschau
"No comment."

Sluc player Bingo Merriex
"It was a nightmare tonight. Loosing at home was very disappointing. We came back in the game, but never managed to go ahead. It was that kind of night were you waste too many shoots."

Quotes SLUC Nancy vs. Tsmoki Minsk

Minsk player Ja Juan Smith
"We focused on what we had to do: winning. This was our goal at the beginning of the season. We played as a team in defense. It was a tough game, every shot was contested. Both teams played a battle, and in the end we won the battle."

Minsk head coach Andrei Krivonos
"For both teams it was the last chance to qualify. It was our last opportunity to reach the Last 16. We played with great concentration. There were many mistakes on both sides. We had prepared for a hard match, and everything we said before, we did it."

Sluc rlayer Kenny Grant
"It was an opportunity to go ahead in our game. This turned out to be a huge deception. Minsk controlled the match. Their third quarter was powerful, we came back but it was too late. We had too many turnovers. We had some opportunitues to score but we missed too many shots. We knew it wouldn't be easy. It's a great pity."

Sluc head coach Jean-Luc Monschau
"No comment."

Sluc player Bingo Merriex
"It was a nightmare tonight. Loosing at home was very disappointing. We came back in the game, but never managed to go ahead. It was that kind of night were you waste too many shoots."