Keila Coolbet scored 14 points in the last minute but it wasn`t enough to defeat smart Royal Liège Basket, 92-96, on Tuesday, November 28, at the Keila Tervisekeskus in northern Estonia.
Players of the game
AJ John delivered like he always does.
A former University of California at Davis power forward scored 14 of his 21 points in the second half.
John had 10 points in the clutch time, including two crucial three pointers, to secure a double digit lead for the Liège Basket.
He added a game high 14 rebounds and six assists.
Olivier Troisfontaines, Anthony Cambo and Kevin Tumba supported their leader, by making eight consecutive free throws – after missing the first three.
Kevin Anthony Johnson shined for Keila Coolbet.
University of Illinois at Chicago standout led his team with 21 points on 7/16 shooting from the field and a perfect 4/4 from the charity stripe.
Thirty seven years old center Kaido Saks played less than five minutes but his six points in the last 50 seconds kept Keila in the game.
Denis Krestinin scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds before he was fouled out.
Kārlis Žunda had 16 points despite average shooting.
Key stats
AJ John scored 10 points in the clutch time to secure a 78-88 lead for the visitors with one minute left.
Keila attempted a last minute comeback and delivered a 14-8 run.
Peep Pahv`s men made it a one possession game with 6 seconds on the clock, 92-95.
Kevin Tumba was fouled and sank the first free throw, 92-96.
Center intentionally missed the next free throw and grabbed a rebound to burn the remaining time.
Liège Basket outrebounded the hosts, 35-50.
Four players were fouled out – Myronenko and Krestinin from Keila, Hagins and Rodriguez from Liège.
Game notes
Royal Liège Basket players have posted four road wins in last five games.
Liège Basket improved to 2-1, while Keila Coolbet dropped to 1-2.
Tuesday marked the first ENBL road win for Alex Zampier and his men.
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube live stream
Format
Four best teams from each group will qualify for the playoffs (A1-B4, A2-B3, A3-B2, A4-B1).
The 2024 playoffs – home and away, best-of-two series – will take place until March 20.
The 2024 Final Four will take place on April 9-10.
Standings, as of November 28, 2023
Group A
Uniclub Casino Juventus 2-0 (+31)
Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits 2-0 (+31)
Bristol Flyers 2-1 (+38)
Landstede Hammers Zwolle 1-1 (-4)
Polski Cukier Start Lublin 1-2 (-12)
Spartak Pleven 0-2 (-29)
Svendborg Rabbits 0-2 (-55)
Bakken Bears Aarhus
Group B
CSO Voluntari 3-1 (+45)
Zastal Zielona Gora 3-1 (+21)
Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles 2-1 (+20)
Royal Basket Liège 2-1 (+6)
Šiauliai 2-1 (-16)
Keila Coolbet 1-2 (-27)
Basket Brno 0-3 (-21)
Valmiera Glass ViA 0-3 (-28)
Tie-breaker 1: Zielona Gora vs Šiauliai 1-0, +26.
Tie-breaker 2: Šiauliai vs Newcastle 1-0, +2.
Tie-breaker 3: Šiauliai vs Voluntari 1-0, +8.