By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A superb sequence highlighted by Kenny Goins lifted Lavrio Megabolt to the win, 65-63, versus JDA Dijon at Peace and Friendship Stadium on Tuesday.
Goins, 25, hit the game-winning bucket with 5.3 seconds remaining. His ensuing defensive effort blocked Rashard Kelly’s three-pointer handing the W to the Greek side. The former Michigan State standout finished the Basketball Champions League Regular Season Round 1 contest with 10 points, six rebounds, two steals, and one block.
Tyson Carter made the main highlight of the match with an early dunk and went on for 15 points. A solid fourth quarter got Dimitris Kaklamanakis to 13 points and a game-high nine rebounds.
The Group C rivals stayed close throughout the low-scoring affair, but the team coached by Christos Serelis was mostly in the lead. Lavrio ended up prevailing in its first BCL game in team history.
Experienced point guard David Holston recorded 13 points for the French side, including a triple tying the game at 63, just before Goins took over. Chase Simon had 15 points and Kelly finished with 14 points and eight rebounds at Piraeus.
Both teams went up to 1-0 at the domestic level during the weekend. However, the Basketball Champions League newcomers made it to 1-0 at the European front forcing the team coached by Nenad Markovic to 0-1.
Nizhny Novgorod taking on Unicaja Malaga at home wraps up the Group C Round 1 schedule tomorrow, Wednesday. All four teams will be back in Champions League action in two weeks.
Post-game press conference: