ULEB Cup draw profile: Azovmash Mariupol
Azovmash Mariupol Azovmash Mariupol overcame a slow start to book its spot in the Final 32 by finishing at 6-4 for third place in Group D. The Ukrainian team was making its ULEB Cup debut and went through a three-game losing streak early but won five of its last six to advance to the next round. Azovmash started its campaign with a 4-point victory at Anwil Wloclawek. But head coach Rimas Girskis's Mariupol lost by 2 points at home against Khimki before getting hammered at SLUC Nancy and at Pamesa Valencia. Azovmash used the home court to return to its winning ways with victories over Deutsche Bank Skyliners and Anwil. Azovmash then continued its run with an overtime victory at previously undefeated Khimki as Tomas Delininkaitis scored 27 points. Mariupol followed that victory with a solid home win over Nancy. Girskis's team had its four-game winning streak snapped at home by Pamesa Valencia as Mariupol failed to complete a frantic fourth quarter comeback. But Azovmash Mariupol Yahor Meshcharakou - Azovmash Mariupolfinished the regular season strong with a solid victory at Skyliners, which was looking for its first win of the season. All told, Azovmash always had a high scoring balanced attack with eight players averaging in double figures for the season. Kris Lang was the team's leading scorer with 14.8 points in five games. Power forward Serhiy Lishchuk averaged 14 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks in four games while he battled injuries. Playmaker Tyus Edney had 10.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting guard Delininkaits chipped in 12.8 points and guard Rodney Buford averaged 10.6 points and 6.0 rebounds and center Robert Archibald had 10.3 points and 7.2 rebounds in five games. Not to be forgotten were guard Panagiotis Liadelis averaging 11.6 points and power forward Yahor Meshcharakou's 10.7 points per game. All that production leaves Mariupol as a darkhorse candidate in the race for the ULEB Cup crown.
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Friday, January 25, 2008
ULEBCup.com
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