Budivelnyk wins Superleague Title over Khimik

Budivelnyk (Ukraine-Superleague) finished off Khimik (Ukraine-Superleague) to win the final series in five games. The final score was 89-81. The eight-point margin in the final score does not tell the whole story of the game. Budivelnyk led the whole way and even led by 22 at one point. Khimik made a late surge towards the end of the game but never got close to threaten the Budivelnyk lead.

The title winners received two solid performances from Henry Dugat (183 cm, Baylor ’09) and D.J. Stephens (198 cm, Memphis ’13). Dugat scored 19 points while grabbing five rebound and dishing three assists. Stephens contributed with 21 points which marked the team-high as well as helping out in the paint with five boards.

Both players led the team in scoring and took over the game for Budivelnyk. They were also able to get 12 points from Ruslan Otverchenko (192 cm) and Brandon Fields (193 cm, Nevada ’10).

Khimik was not able to find many scoring threats from their team. Only Jaime Smith (193 cm, Alabama-Huntsville ’13) played well as he put up 23 points while recording six assists and four rebounds. He shot 3-of-7 from three but the rest of the team went 5-of-26 from deep which killed their chances to win.

Smith and Khimik needed more from their supporting cast but they did not come through. Eleven different players were used for the team in this win-or-go-home game but not one could help the team overcome Budivelnyk.