Groningen wins Dutch title

Donar Groningen is the new champion of the Dutch Eredivisie (DBL) league with a 69-86 road win over Zwolle in Game 5 of the finals series. The victory means Groningen wins back the title it last won in 2014 and claims its fifth Eredivisie crown overall.

The new champs took a while to get cooking in Game 5, but once they did the visitors dominated proceedings. This included grabbing 44 rebounds compared to Zwolle’s lowly 26 and dishing out 20 assists compared to the 10 scoring passes produced by the hosts.

Zwolle actually had the better of a pulsating first quarter, taking a bucket for bucket stretch 21-20 for an early, if slender lead. Groningen found a rhythm in the second period and used an 18-22 run to hold a 39-42 advantage through the long break. In the third quarter the guests sealed the game with a strong defensive frame, scoring 23 and stopping Zwolle at 8 points. In the fourth act and protecting a 47-65 lead, the visitors strode to victory and eased down the stretch.

Lance Jeter topped the scoring in the winning effort with 21 points, while Chase Fieler took 14 points and Jason Dourisseau scored 13 points. Ross Bekkering collected a double-double, scoring 11 points and putting in a defensive masterclass to take 19 rebounds, 14 of them at the back.

Grant Gibbs led Zwolle with 14 points, followed by Jessey Voorn with 13 points, and Tyson Hinz with 12 points.