Aigars Šķēle made a game winning three pointer with 40.5 seconds left and BM Stal Ostrów completed a 70-66 comeback win against BC Wolves to claim the 2023 European North Basketball League title on Wednesday, April 12, at the Arena Ostrów.
Players of the game
Aigars Šķēle missed his first four shots and had four turnovers at the end of the third quarter but stepped up when it mattered the most.
BM Stal guard scored seven of his nine points in the fourth quarter, including a golden shot with 40.5 seconds to go.
He tallied three assists and +/- ratio 11 in the last 10 minutes.
Jakub Garbacz led all scorers with 22 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field and 11-of-13 from the free throw line.
Shooter had 10 points in the fourth quarter.
Damian Kulig posted 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the charity stripe.
Nemanja Djurišič had four points, four rebounds and two super important steals in the clutch time.
Big man finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
Regimantas Miniotas scored a team high 13 points for BC Wolves.
Center added 10 rebounds.
Jeffery Taylor also posted double-double.
A Euroleague champion had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Eigirdas Žukauskas scored 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the three point line.
Ahmad Caver chipped in with nine points, five assists and one steal.
Key stats
BC Wolves jumped to a 6-0 lead after three pointers by Ahmad Caver and Eigirdas Žukauskas.
Alytus team led by as much as eight points after a steal and fast break by Marcos Delia, 2-10.
The Lithuanian club held BM Stal to nine points in the first quarter, 9-17.
Andrzej Urban`s team started to play faster to spark a comeback in the next minutes.
Jakub Garbacz led the charge – he scored from the deep and forced three fouls.
Garbacz`s three pointer gave BM Stal first lead in the game, 31-30, and Arena Ostrów erupted in that moment.
The next 15 minutes belonged to BC Wolves.
Alytus team led by 10 points after a three pointer by Arnas Beručka, 55-65, with 04:39 to go.
BC Wolves never scored from the field again and the Final Four hosts finished the game with a 15-1 run.
Nemanja Djurišič and Ojārs Siliņš – subbed back in the game with 03:54 left – did amazing job on defense.
BM Stal won possession after possession until Djurišič`s hook shot made it a one possession game, 63-65, with 02:10 left.
Caver fouled Kulig at 01:26 mark and captain tied the game at 65.
BC Wolves missed last five three point attempts.
Taylor forced a foul and split the free throws for the last Wolves lead, 65-66.
Aigars Šķēle scored a game winning three pointer in the next possession for a 68-66 advantage.
Taylor missed the next four free throws, while Jakub Garbacz sank both.
Game notes
BC Wolves entered their maiden season in January 2023.
They made waves on and off the court.
Alytus team edged out King Szczecin in semifinal but fell short against the hosts.
BM Stal Ostrów won its first international trophy.
All star team
Bryce Brown, King Szczecin
Aigars Šķēle, BM Stal Ostrów
Ahmad Caver, BC Wolves
Troy Barnies, Polski Cukier Start Lublin
Eigirdas Žukauskas, BC Wolves
MVP
Damian Kulig, BM Stal Ostrów
SCHEDULE
Tuesday, April 11
King Szczecin 55-58 BC Wolves
BM Stal Ostrów 86-74 Polski Cukier Start Lublin
Wednesday, April 12
Polski Cukier Start Lublin 86-62 King Szczecin
BC Wolves 66-70 BM Stal Ostrów