BBL. Karasev powers Triumph into second spot

Sergey Karasev has helped Triumph go second-outright in the BBL standings, scoring 18 points off the bench to see the Moscow club defeat hosts Baltai 78-65 on Thursday evening.

The up-and-coming Russian star came off the bench to right his team's poor start to the game going seven-for-12 from the field to show experience beyond his 18 years. The young guard would also pick up four rebounds and four assists. Edgaras Ulanovas had the home team off to a roaring start against their heavily favored opponents, picking up a quick five points as Baltai began the game on a 12-2 run. Ulanovas lead the home team with 15 points.

However Kyle Landry and Karasev would enter the game to awaken the visitors, combining for 17 first-quarter points to put Triumph up by one at the end of the opening frame. Landry went on to pick up 10 points in less than seven minutes playing time. Mario Delas was making sure that Baltai were remaining in touch in the second frame but with Karasev moving into double figures Triumph would still go into the break leading by five. Delas went on to finish with a 14-point 12-rebound double-double.

Also finishing up with 14 points was teammate Zygimantas Janavicius. Following the break Baltai dominated possession and despite hitting just five shots from the floor in the third quarter they would manage to win the third quarter by a point to keep the game interesting heading into the final ten minutes. Accuracy from the field plagued the home team throughout the night as they managed to go just 25-for-62 from the field. After outshooting their opponents a quarter previous, Baltai were again getting off just as many shots as their opponents in the final frame but would lack the accuracy of Triumph as the guests pulled away to comfortably win by seven points.

Dmitry Kulagin was another young star shining from the bench for Triumph finishing with 12 points. Karasev's performance now helps improves the record of Valdemaras Chomicius' team to eight wins and three losses, moving them into second position outright.

05 january 2012