Chatman helps Ventspils end three-game slide


Ventspils ended a three-game losing streak in Group F and picked up its first road win by defeating Stelmet Zielona Gora 69-79. Mire Chatman starred with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists as Ventspils improved to 2-3 to keep a share of fourth place in the group. Ventspils dominated early, using a 2-17 second quarter run to take a 22-40 lead. Przemyslaw Zamojski rallied Zielona Gora just before halftime, but a Chatman triple made it 33-45 at the break. The difference grew to 20 in the third quarter, however Steve Burtt Jr. heated up to revive the hosts. The difference was cut to 60-66 in the fourth, but a pair of Troy Barnies threes helped Veltspils seal the victory. Harvey Grant added 14 points and Barnies 13 for the winners. Zamojski paced Zielona Gora with 21 points, Burtt netted 20 and Chevy Troutman posted 15 points and 7 rebounds.

A Chatman triple gave the visitors a 0-5 start. Aaron Cel connected from downtown for Zielona Gora and a Zamojski basket-plus foul made it 6-7. Zamojski’s first three-pointer tied that game at 9-9. Maris Gulbis and Barnies each sank threes as Ventspils ran back in front 11-17. Troutman halved Zielona Gora’s deficit with a three, but Artjoms Butjankovs gave the visitors an 18-23 lead after 10 minutes. Troutman brought Zielona Gora within 3, however Ventspils went on a 0-8 run to take a double-digit lead on a Grant slam. Grant scored 6 of the points in the run as his team took a 20-31 advantage. Adam Hrycaniuk ended the Venspils run, but another started. Akselis Vairogs nailed a three and Andrejs Grazulis scored twice as Ventspils raced ahead 22-40. Quinton Hosley and Troutman responded for Zielona Gora and Zamojski scored 7 straight points, but a Chatman three made it 33-45 at halftime.

Chatman scored the first basket of the second half. Zanis Peiners added a three and Chatman set Barnies up as Ventspils extended its lead to 19. Zamojski answered with a three, but before long Martins Meiers made it 36-56. Zamojski drilled his fourth three-pointer and Burtt hit a pair of threes later in the third quarter as the hosts closed within 12, but Chatman connected from behind the arc to make it 49-64 heading into the fourth quarter. Burtt stayed hot and scored the first 5 points of the fourth. Zamojski free throws carried Zielona Gora to within 60-66. Barnies struck back with a pair of threes to restore a double-digit deficit, 62-72. Chatman and Peiners free throws help keep Zielona Gora at bay as Ventspils chalked up a valuable road win.