The Seagulls from Helsinki tied the men’s Korisliiga finals 2–2 by beating the visitors BC Nokia in the fourth final 75–72.
Experienced Lake Okko scored “only” 13 points on Wednesday in the fourth final game of the men’s Korisliiga at Harjuniity school in Nokia, but six of them came at really important moments.
– I didn’t know the situation, but I got good throwing positions and put the ball in the air. I practice a lot of throws like that, Järvi said.
Tucker Richardson gave Nokia a 72–67 lead with three minutes remaining. During the next minute, Järvi sunk two threes and the visitors led by a point. Nokia’s offensive game faltered badly in the decisive moments.
– The guy put in hard baskets, we had losses. It was slow, it’s a quick analysis, said Nokia’s captain Niko Mattila.
BC Nokia had ten seconds to take the match to overtime with a third, but Both Gach lost the ball Lassi to Nikkarinen.
Seagulls coach Vesa Vertio saw the importance of the experience of the team that showed in the second half. BC Nokia took a 51–41 lead with Gach’s impressive dunk.
– Even though Nokia led by ten points, there was no rush. We got back up. In the decisive moments, we defended with great intensity and that was the solution, Vertio said.
Power stage 15–0 for the Seagulls
Vertio took a timeout in the right spot after Gachi’s 51-41 basket. The Seagulls took the next minutes 15–0.
– The time-out is taken after some bad own decision, but they aim to break the other’s momentum. There isn’t a very good Finnish word for that, Vertio said.
After the previous match against Nokia, Järvi promised that the team would seek one away win against Harjuniiti.
– It came, but I said right away in the booth that on Saturday we have to keep the now-reacquired home advantage, Järvi summed up.
In addition to Järvi, the Seagulls’ heroes had scored 26 points Shavon Coleman. He also robbed Nokia of the ball five times. BC Nokia’s power rested Kahron Rossin 17/2, By Patrick Tapen 15/10 and Richardson 14/8 on reserve.
The fifth final will be played on Saturday in Helsinki and the sixth in Harjuniity next Tuesday.