Unics downed Nymburk, sweeps eighthfinals series

Unics Kazan advanced to the Eurocup Quarterfinals by beating CEZ Basketball Nymburk 76-59, sweeping its eighthfinals series with a no-doubt-about-it aggregate score of 177-117. Unics had won Game 1 by 33 points, 58-91, and did not find much trouble to make it to the next round. Andrew Goudelock paced the winners with 29 points on 6-of-11 three-point shots. Nikita Kurbanov and Nikos Zisis each added 10 points for Unics. Tomas Pomikalek led Nymburk with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Rasid Mahalbasic added 10 for the guests. Surprise starters Thomas Massamba and Pomikalek allowed Nymburk to get a 20-21 edge after 10 minutes. Goudelock and Kurbanov gave Unics a 28-27 edge but Dylan Page led a 0-9 run that put the guests back ahead, 28-36. Mahalbasic shined late in the first half but a 34-40 Nymburk edge at the break - but Unics stayed way ahead in the series, 125-98. A 7-0 run that Chuck Eidson capped with a three-pointer allowed Unics to get a 50-49 edge after 30 minutes. Unics rolled in the fourth quarter, improving its defense to get its 17th win in 18 Eurocup games this season.

Goudelock got Unics going with a dunk and a jumper but Page and surprise starters Massamba and Pomikalek soon gave Nymburk a 4-9 lead (95-67). Zisis made free throws and Kurbanov added a three-point play but Pomikalek and Massamba restored a 9-13 Nymburk edge. The guests found a new go-to guy in Mahalbasic but Goudelock and Ian Vougioukas kept Unics within 15-17 (leading 106-75 in the series). Tywain McKee and a big triple by Goudelock brought the hosts even closer, 20-21, after 10 minutes. Kurbanov and Luke Harangody allowed Unics to regain the lead, 24-23, early in the second quarter. Page followed free throws with a three-pointer, igniting a 0-9 run which Mahalbasic capped with a layup to give Nymburk a 28-36 lead (series 119-94). Goudelock stepped up with a layup-plus-foul and a three-pointer but an outstanding Mahalbasic gave Nymburk a 34-40 lead at halfime. Even with that, Unics kept a 27-point lead in the series, 125-98.

Both teams struggled to score for more than 2 minutes until Goudelock nailed a triple. Pomikalek scored again but Goudelock answered from downtown and a layup by Kurbanov made Nymburk call timeout at 42-42. Pomikalek shined with a three-point play and Massamba added a jumper but Vladimir Veremeenko, Zisis and Eidson led a 7-0 run that put Unics ahead, 50-47 (series 141-105). Pavel Houska brought Nymburk within 51-49 after 30 minutes. The outcome of the series was clear but both teams kept fighting for a prestigious win. Free throws by Goudelock and a three-pointer by Zisis boosted Unics's lead to 58-51 with over 7 minutes left. Page made free throws but three-pointers by Goudelock - who else? - and Eidson sealed the outcome, 65-53. Everything was said and done already, as Nymburk finished its seventh Eurocup season and Unics will keep fighting for the title in the upcoming quarterfinals.