Eurocup Quarterfinals 1/2009 - Orenburg 71, K. V. Imperial 64

It can be understood that you might lose a best-of-two series on the road - you can always make up any deficits when you meet again at home. Unforunately for K. V. Imperial, they had home advantage playing in Cyprus - and lost to Russian team Orenburg 71-64. The two teams will meet again on Thursday, and this time the Russians will have home court advantage.

The game report, box score, and play-by-play are all here. Unfortunately, there is no photo gallery.

After struggling through an almost even first quarter, Orenburg continued an 11-0 run through the second that put them up 29-19 at one point. K. V. Imperial fought back in front of the crowd of 400 spectators and with two minutes left before halftime, took the lead again. K. V. Imperial led by one basket, 38-36, at halftime.

With just three minutes to go in the third, K. V. Imperial still led 45-41. However, the Russians tied a couple of times and scored the final layup of the third quarter, giving Orenburg a 52-50 lead with ten minutes to go. They managed to keep this lead with K. V. Imperial hot on their trail. A basket by Daliborka Vilipic with 1:53 to go in the game closed K. V. Imperial to three points, 67-64. Unfortunately, K. V. Imperial would miss their next two shots. Down 69-64 with 1:05 to go, Chamique Holdsclaw would turn over the ball and Orenburg would hang on for victory.

Tatiana Burik led all Orenburg players with 20 points and five rebounds. Superplayer Anastasia Veremeenko would contribute six points, seven rebounds and eight assists for Orenburg.

Daliborka Vilipic scored 11 points for K. V. Imperial and Sherill Baker added 21 points. Chamique Holdsclaw had a great game, but also had six turnovers:

25 points
11-for-17 shooting
8 rebounds
2 assists
6 turnovers