Better shooting and longer bench were key factors for BK Opava as the Czech club grinded out a 92-89 road win against excellent Spišski Rytieri, on Tuesday, January 14, at the Mestska Sportova hala in Spišska Nova Ves, eastern Slovakia.
Players of the game
Jan Švandrlik weared the Rain Man mantle again for BK Opava.
A former Iona Gael scored 19 points, including a 5/11 effort from the three point line.
Švandrlik went 4/6 from the deep in the first half and added one more three in the third quarter.
Jakub Slavik also had 19 points.
Small forward added 10 rebounds and a team high three steals.
Rob Howard scored 18 points on almost flawless 6/7 shooting from the field and a 4/6 effort from the charity stripe.
University of Illinois at Chicago power forward grabbed six rebounds and had the best +/- ratio 10.
Šimon Puršl dropped eight points in the fourth quarter after a 0/4 start.
Big man made two three pointers to spark a 9-2 run.
Iļja Gromovs led Spišski Rytieri with 19 points on amazing 9/10 shooting from the field.
Latvian big man added 10 rebounds and a game high four steals.
Dylan Frye and Dwayne Cohill scored 21 and 19 points respectively.
Key stats
Spišski Rytieri controlled second and third quarter but their lead never reached double digits mark.
Teo Hojč and his men had a 42-46 lead at the half.
The hosts excelled in defense and transition but their reserves were smaller.
Šimon Puršl scored seven points early in the fourth quarter to engineer a 9-2 run.
BK Opava took a 77-70 lead and secured the win, despite continuous comeback attempts by the valiant Knights.
Yellow Devils shot 52 percent from the field, including 72 percent from the two point mark.
Opava bench outscored Spišski, 22-15.
Game notes
BK Opava improved to 4-3, while Spišski Rytieri dropped to 1-6.
Petr Czudek and his men are 3-1 on the road.
They will host Donar Groningen on February 4.
If Valmiera Glass ViA lose at CSO Voluntari on January 21 and at Dziki Warszawa on January 28, BK Opava may book the last ticket to the playoffs.
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube
STANDINGS, as of January 14, 2025, CET 20.00
Group A
Newcastle Eagles 6-1, +50 Qualified
Dziki Warszawa 5-2, +69 Qualified
CSO Voluntari 5-1, +116 Qualified
Valmiera Glass ViA 5-1, +62
BK Opava 4-3, -26
Donar Groningen 2-4, -6
Tartu Ulikool 1-5, -81
Spišski Rytieri 1-6, -106
Spartak Pleven 0-6, -78
Group B
Inter Bratislava 6-0, +25 Qualified
Bamberg Baskets 5-1, +66
Bakken Bears 4-3, +59
Legia Warszawa 4-2, +29
Basket Brno 2-2, +7
Bristol Flyers 2-4, -18
Dinamo Bucharest 1-4, -31
Keila Coolbet 1-3, -44
Fyllingen Lions 0-6, -93
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