Finland Korisliiga, Honka and Kouvot win
The Finland Korisliiga entered its fourth round of the 2014/2015 season on Friday with two contests, with a further two games happening on Saturday (October 11th). The day’s action saw both home teams collect wins including victories for both Honka Tapiola and Kouvot Kouvola.
Honka Tapiola vs. Namika Lahti, 79-64
Honka picked up its first victory of the Finland Korisliiga season at fourth attempt and handed Lahti its third consecutive defeat, with the visitors yet to register a victory this season. However, Honka’s patchy form continued during the first quarter as Namika Lahti had the best of the early exchanges, eventually pushing ahead 14-20 after ten minutes. It got worse for the hosts in the second frame as Lahti defended well to concede just 8 points during the period. After 20 minutes on the hardwood the score stood at 22-33 in favour of the away team.
As explosive quarters go, the third stanza attack from Honka Tapiola was red hot. To say the home team blitzed the opposition is an understatement as they streamed in a massive 41 points during the 10 minutes. Namika Lahti responded with 19 points of their own, but after 30 minutes of play Honka had turned the game around and led 63-52. The hosts headed into Q4 with a decent double digit lead and made the most of their momentum to ease down the stretch, winning the fourth quarter 16-12 to take the win.
Ike Udanoh led the winning effort with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Ronnie Clark hit 17 points and Villematti Kopio 14.
Ryan Wright scored 22 points and added 9 board, with David Gonzalvez and Cameron Bennerman getting 11 apiece.
Kouvot Kouvola vs. Helsinki Seagulls, 94-77
It has not been a good start to a debut Finland Korisliiga season for the Helsinki Seagulls as the team slipped to its third consecutive defeat. Kouvot Kouvola bounced back from its defeat two days previously to take a 2-1 record in the league. The hosts looked comfortable from the tip off and controlled the pace of the first quarter, damaging the Gulls at the bucket and looking solid at the perimeter. At the opening interval the score was 25-14 and while Helsinki improved in the second quarter Kouvola looked in control and claimed the period 22-21 to lead 47-35 at halftime.
With a 12 point advantage the home team looked good and continued to find the bucket consistently in the third quarter, scoring 25 points. However, the Seagulls were now finding more space too and they outscored Kouvot during the third, winning it 25-26 to put the score at 72-61 at the last split. The tale of the tape was restored in the final frame as the home team found a rhythm again and eased down the straight to win the game comfortably.
Jason Conley set the pace for the winners with 20 points, while Jonathan Jones added 19 points and 11 boards in a double-double game. Also doubling up was Ville Kaunisto with 15 points and 14 caroms.
Melsahn Basabe had a game high 26 points in defeat and also took 11 off the glass, while Carl Lindbom sunk 13 and Jouko Jarvinen 10.