Khimik Force Deciding Game

Willie Deane was once again instrumental for Khimik, leading his team with 15 points

Khimik Yuzhne have lived to see another day, defeating EWE Baskets 66-61 to force game three in their EuroChallenge quarter-final play-off series.

Following on from an explosive start to the game that saw the home team leading by as many as 11 points late in the opening frame, it appeared their wings had been clipped following the half-time break when game one star Julius Jenkins sunk a three-pointer with 2:41 remaining in the third quarter, to put EWE Baskets up 43-41.

Khimik did a better job at neutralising Jenkins this time round, holding the American to 13 points.

However, Miroslav Todic answered back with a three of his own at the other end of the court, giving the lead back to the hosts. With a frame remaining, it was Khimik up by three, 48-45.

Revitalised following the quarter break, Khimik appeared set to put the game beyond doubt, extending the lead to eight points on a Willie Deane free throw with 4:28 to play.

Deane was the only player from the winning team to make double figures, scoring 15 points.

But Khimik were not going to be allowed to do it easily and when Konrad Wysocki made a three-point and-one play, converting the extra with 45 seconds remaining, it was back to a four-point ball game, 63-59.

Robin Smeulders followed up with a dunk to bring it within two, but composure from Suad Sehovic and Sava Lesic from the free-throw line confirmed Khimik's win.

Smeulders' dunk meant the German ended the night with a game-high 16 points.

Quotes Khimik Yuzhne vs. EWE Baskets

Khimik player Sergiy Popov
"It was a very hard game for us. All players were trying to play defense, however, many times missed open shots, but most importantly - we have won and we will try to do everything on the road to win."

Khimik head coach Zvezdan Mitrovic
"I can say that our players were good today, played at a high level in defense. Our task was to stop Paulding and Jenkins, this also was made. Thanks to our fans, they supported us well today. We'll try to do our best in the third game."

Oldenburg player Jannik Freese
"We played good in defense, allowing the opponent to score only 66 points, but the opponent defended more aggressively - we scored only 61 points."

Oldenburg head coach Sebastian Machowski
"If we talk about the game, the defense and the desire - Khimik was better. In offense we made a lot of turnovers, missed a lot of free throws and three point shots. We will try to play much better in defense in Germany, because we really want to reach the Final Four." 

Quotes Khimik Yuzhne vs. EWE Baskets

Khimik player Sergiy Popov
"It was a very hard game for us. All players were trying to play defense, however, many times missed open shots, but most importantly - we have won and we will try to do everything on the road to win."

Khimik head coach Zvezdan Mitrovic
"I can say that our players were good today, played at a high level in defense. Our task was to stop Paulding and Jenkins, this also was made. Thanks to our fans, they supported us well today. We'll try to do our best in the third game."

Oldenburg player Jannik Freese
"We played good in defense, allowing the opponent to score only 66 points, but the opponent defended more aggressively - we scored only 61 points."

Oldenburg head coach Sebastian Machowski
"If we talk about the game, the defense and the desire - Khimik was better. In offense we made a lot of turnovers, missed a lot of free throws and three point shots. We will try to play much better in defense in Germany, because we really want to reach the Final Four."