Dayshon “Scoochie” Smith and Billy Ivey scored 17 consecutive points in the fourth quarter to lead Uniclub Casino Juventus Utena past Spartak Pleven, 92-82, on Tuesday, December 12, at the Balkanstroy Hall in northern Bulgaria.
Players of the game
Scoochie Smith scored 9 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Uniclub Casino Juventus and Dayton star registered a game high nine assists and two steals.
Billy Ivey was equally impressive.
A former San Jose State University guard had 17 points on 7/11 shooting from the field.
Šarūnas Beniušis, Ryan Taylor and Ajdin Penava also finished in double figures.
Rodney Purvis shined for Spartak Pleven.
A former NC State and UConn guard (2014-2017) posted a game high 19 points, including a 4/10 effort from the three point line.
Stanimir Marinov had eight points, five assists and three steals.
Key stats
Nine lead changes were registered in the first half.
A dagger by Billy Ivey gave a 41-39 lead for the visitors.
Uniclub Casino Juventus never trailed after the break and extended its lead in double digits six times.
Spartak Pleven never gave up and cut the lead to six points, 78-72, with 03:52 to go.
Back-to-back three pointers by Rodney Purvis kept the hosts in the game until the last minute.
Ten men (!) finished in double figures.
The visitors went 10/15 from the three point line!
Finally, it was too much for the local heroes.
Game notes
Uniclub Casino Juventus improved to 3-0, while Spartak Pleven dropped to 0-3.
Oliver Kostič`s men recently defeated Jonava and Wolves Vilnius.
They are inching closer to the playoffs.
Spartak is 4-3 at home this season, including 4-1 at the Sesame NBL.
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 from February 1 until March 20.
The 2024 Final Four will take place on April 9-10.
Standings, as of December 12, 2023
Group A
Uniclub Casino Juventus 3-0 (+41)
Bristol Flyers 3-1 (+50)
Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits 2-0 (+31)
Polski Cukier Start Lublin 1-2 (-12)
Landstede Hammers Zwolle 1-2 (-16)
Bakken Bears Aarhus 1-0 (+24)
Spartak Pleven 0-3 (-39)
Svendborg Rabbits 0-3 (-79)
Group B
CSO Voluntari 3-1 (+45)
Zastal Zielona Gora 3-1 (+21)
Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles 2-1 (+20)
Royal Liège Basket 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.