Millage Caps Khimik Fightback

Curtis Millage's triple was the last act of a thrilling finale

Curtis Millage nailed a three-pointer with four seconds to go as BC Khimik stormed back to stun Deutsche Bank Skyliners and record their first win in EuroChallenge Group B, winning 61-60.

The Skyliners led by as many as nine in the final period, and held a 57-51 edge with 18 seconds left after a pair of free throws from Pascal Roller.

But Khimik had no thoughts of giving up the fight, and Oleksandr Kolchenko immediately responded with a three-pointer.

Sergiy Popov then quicky fouled Kimmo Muurinen, who could only split his free throws at the line to make it 58-54.

Millage missed a lay-up for Khimik but Edin Bavcic was on hand to make the tip-in and slice the gap to two, 58-56.

Popov again got in a quick foul and Dashaun Wood could only split his throws, another costly miss as the gap was just three, 59-56.

Jermaine Bucknor fouled Millage, but he made no mistake at the line, slicing the gap to 59-58 as the buzzer loomed.

Oleksandr Prokopenko fouled Roller, but like his team-mates, he missed a crucial free throw as the lead was 60-58 with six seconds to go.

Millage then got the ball and struck from long range to the delight of the home fans.

Kolchenko led Khimik with 16 points while Travis Garrison had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Bavcic finished with 11 points.

Wood was the only Skyliner to score in double figures with 16 points.

Quotes Khimik vs Skyliners

Khimik player Curtis Millage:
"We just tried to do what the coach said us. He said to play hard and slow down in playing offence. We had the few mistakes during the game. We knew they rebound a lot. They got some good offensive rebound. We not satisfied with the whole season. But we want to get better. Tomorrow when practice comes we will learn from our mistakes and get ready for the next game." 

Khimik Head Coach Zoran Martich:
"I know what the coach is feeling today because we had the same situation four days ago. I must admit today they've been a better team. We have been lucky. I have great respect for the coach. They have a very good season this year. Before the game I was actually afraid they would beat us for fifteen or twenty points. It was very tuff game for us."

Skyliners player Fabian Franke:
"We were ready that it was hard team to beat. We knew that it was a good team. We found the game pretty tough but in the second and third quarter we were able to extend our lead. But somehow we lost this game." 

Skyliners Head Coach Gordon Herbert:
"First of all I would like to congratulate BC Khimik. We controlled a lot of the game but they never gave up, they kept fighting, they had a great come back. The last part of the third quarter and last part of the fourth quarter I wasn't really happy the way we played. The last eight seconds of the game we didn't manage to do what we wanted to do. But we had to move ahead and get ready for the next game."