Triumph Deny Brave Szolnok, Reach Final
The Russians go to the Final
TURNING POINT: Szolnok went up 59-54 on two Justin Holiday free throws with 1:35 left in the game but Triumph got the defensive stops from then on and scored the last seven points in the game to clinch the win.
GAME HERO: Kyle Landry was something of a hero and a villain for Triumph, as he could not help his team with their Achilles heel on the boards but came up with big shots to keep Triumph in the game when their primary offensive options were not working. He finished with a game-high 18 points on an outstanding 6-for-9 from the floor.
STATS DON'T LIE: Triumph were not allowed to run in transition and were out-rebounded 44 to 26, but also kept Szolnok to just 34% shooting from two-point range and provoked 20 turnovers, including the crucial ones in the clutch.
The normally high-scoring Triumph Lyubertsy managed to come up with a plan B on Friday night in Bologna and grind out a 61-59 victory over Szolnoki Olaj in the first semi-final of the EuroChallenge Final Four.