Kavkasia, which was 26 points behind in the 3rd quarter, still defeated Zestaponi

Three matches of the 5th round of the A League are planned today at the Olympic Palace. The very first meeting turned out to be very tense. to say shortly, the team that was winning by 26 points in the third period was finally defeated. Kavkasia coached by Beka Tsivtsivadze, which is the only undefeated team in the current championship, continued a successful series and defeated the main rival due to the tournament situation – Zestaponi 86:84 (Statistics). 

At the 21st minute of the match, Zestaponi was winning 60:34 and in fact, victory was guaranteed, however, the team coached by Lithuanian Barkus Paulius started to relax prematurely and was eventually punished. Kavkasia increased their speed and, most importantly, their efficiency, started to reduce the gap and at the end of the third period, they were losing only 8 points.

Confusion has increased in the team of Zestaponi and the score has been equalized after a number of mistakes made in the final period. Both teams could have won in the last seconds, the arrow of victory was first thrown to Zestaponi, when Otar Buliava scored a three-pointer, and then it returned to Kavkasia again. This was due to Tariel Zuzadze’s very important three-pointer, which was shot half a minute before the final siren. He advanced his team 85:84. Then Zuzadze stole the ball in the defense as well and increased the leadership of tKavkasia to 2 points after the tactical foul. Zestaponi managed to shoot the winning ball, but a three pointer of Donnell Cegers didn’t get in the basket.

Devon Coly led the winners with 20 points. Markese Mayfield scored 19 points. Tariel Zuzadze had 16 points. Otar Buliava was the most effective in Zestaponi with 33 points and 9 rebounds. Levan Gogaladze scored 15 points, James Fleming had 14.