Veremeenko becomes all-time leading rebounder in Banvit victory

Vladimir Veremeenko led Banvit Bandirma to victory on what was also a historic night for his career. The big man amassed 22 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals as Banvit bested Krasny Oktyabr Volgograd 90-75. The rebounds give him 476 for his Eurocup career, which takes him past Andre Riddick to become the competition’s all-time leader. Veremeenko was active throughout. He grabbed the record-breaking rebound early in the third quarter and scored several key baskets to keep Banvit in the game as it traded shots with the visitors. He later made a pair of three in a 12-0 game-clinching charge in the fourth quarter. Banvit improved to 4-1 in Group E to remain tied for first place with Lietuvos Rytas. Oktyabr slipped to 2-3. Sammy Mejia added 19 points, EJ Rowland recorded 18 points and 7 assists and Chuck Davis scored 14 for the winners. Randy Culpepper led Oktyabr with 22 points, Bernard King netted 13 and Anton Ponkrashov scored 12 in defeat.

Keith Simmons scored on the offensive glass as the hosts jumped out to a 4-1 start. The teams traded baskets and the lead with a Culpepper triple putting Oktyabr up 8-10. Mejia tied the game from the line and soon enough Rowland’s steal and slam made it 14-10. Romeo Travis’s triple put the visitors ahead once more and the lead changed hands four more times before a King three made it 18-20 after 10 minutes. The scoreboard remained tight into the second quarter. Veremeenko’s steal led to a Mejia layup for a 28-25 Banvit advantage. Oktyabr responded with Culpepper scoring 7 in a 0-9 spurt to make it 30-36. Chuck Davis revived Banvit with a three and Rowland soon tied it. Artem Komissarov put Oktyabr up 3, but Rowland brough the hosts within 40-41 at the break.

Veremeenko took charge early in the second half. His steal led to a Rowland basket that put Banvit up 1. King countered, but on the next Oktyabr possession, Veremeenko gathered a Travis miss to become the Euroleague’s all-time leading rebounder. His offensive rebound and three-point play on the ensuing play gave the hosts the lead again. King persisted with a three, but Can Maxim Mutaf also tripled and Veremeenko made it 51-47. He scored twice more in a 9-2 run that made it 60-51. Mejia free throws made it a double-digit difference. Culpepper’s free throws were matched by a basket by Vladimir Dragicevic for a 65-55 lead through three quarters. Four different Oktyabe players scored in a 0-8 run to start the fourth quarter to get within 2 on a DeAndre Liggins slam. Veremeenko ended the Banvit drought only for a Culpepper triple to make it 67-66. Mejia gave the hosts some breathing room before Veremeenko buried a key three. Another Veremeenko triple capped a 12-0, game-clinching run as the visitors never got closer than 11 the rest of the way.