Ahmad Caver and Adas Juškevičius combined for 27 points in the second half to lead BC Wolves past King Szczecin, 87-84, and into the playoffs on Thursday, February 9, at the packed Alytus sports and recreation center in southern Lithuania.
Players of the game
Wolves guards were smelling the blood.
Ahmad Caver led all scorers with 26 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field and a 9-of-11 from the free throw line.
Old Dominion guard dished out six assists and forced eight fouls.
Adas Juškevičius scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half.
He made 6-of-12 three point shots, including four makes after the halftime break.
Marcos Delia scored 13 points for the winners.
Argentinian star posted nine points in the second half.
Zac Cuthbertson had 17 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field and 5-of-7 from the charity stripe.
King forward grabbed seven rebounds and blocked one shot.
Key stats
Wolves allowed 49 points in the first half but held King to 35 points after the halfway mark.
Ahmad Caver, Adas Juškevičius and Marcos Delia outscored Szczecin in the second half, 36-35.
King Szczecin outran their opponents in the first 20 minutes and scored more points in fast breaks, 0-12.
The Wolves improved their transition game and secured some important offensive rebounds, while Juškevičius was hot from the deep.
Game notes
Wolves defeated Euroleague club Žalgiris, 80-75, on Monday, February 6.
They rallied their supporters for a comeback win on Thursday.
Rimas Kurtinaitis team dealt a first loss for King Szczecin.
The Wolves improved to 5-2 and booked a trip to the playoffs.
LIVE STATS
Polski Cukier Start Lublin 82–68 Budivelnyk Kyiv https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/ENBL/2227828/
BC Wolves 87–84 King Szczecin
Friday, February 10, Šiauliai (GMT+3h)
18:00 Šiauliai – Budivelnyk Kyiv
STANDINGS, as of February 9, 2023
Group A
Polski Cukier Start Lublin 5-1 (+58) Qualified
Budivelnyk Kyiv 4-1 (+42) Qualified
Zastal Zielona Gora 4-2 (+10) Qualified
Kalev/Cramo 2-4 (+19)
KB Sigal Prishtina 2-4 (-34)
Šiauliai 2-3 (-24)
TalTech Optibet 1-5 (-71)
Tie-breaker: Sigal Prishtina 1-1, +13; Kalev/Cramo 1-1, +3; Šiauliai 1-1, -16.
STANDINGS, as of February 9, 2023
Group B
King Szczecin 6-1 (+51) Qualified
Stal Ostrow 5-2 (+76) Qualified
BC Wolves 5-2 (+41) Qualified
Ironi Ness Ziona 5-2 (+60) Qualified
Trefl Sopot 4-3 (+18)
Tartu University 2-5 (-16)
Basket Brno 1-6 (-61)
Valmiera Glass VIA 0-7 (-169)
Tie-breaker: BM Stal Ostrow 1-1, +6; Wolves 1-1, +4; Ironi Ness Ziona 1-1, -10.