The decisive semi-final match between Kauhajoki and Seagulls will be played on Saturday in Helsinki.
Kauhajoki Karhu Basket extended its men’s Korisliiga semi-final series against the Seagulls to a decisive tie, when it beat the Helsinki team 78-73 at home on Thursday and tied the match wins at 3-3.
The win was Kauhajoki’s first at home in this match series.
The match was even, like the previous matches of the semi-final series. With the exception of one, the teams’ previous meetings had ended with a difference of no more than seven points.
Kauhajoki winger Shawn Hopkins said that the team that played with its back against the wall was able to play with an open mind.
– We played through individuals, even though this is a team game. However, everyone plays their own game and does their own task. In that sense, I would say that individuals had a really big meaning in the team’s game, even though this is against the norm that is being talked about, but that’s just the way it is, Hopkins said.
– I said a few days ago that I haven’t seen such a raccoon dog mood, so it was today.
Karhu Basket led the match 45–34 at halftime, but the Seagulls came within a point in the final quarter to 72–71, with 3:05 left on the Game Clock. Karhu Basket tore after this Topias Palmin by two and Junior Maduti with one free throw for a four-point lead.
Chuba Ohms brought the Seagulls within two points, but Palmi made the decisive three-pointer 11 seconds before the end. Palmi became the best scorer of the match, boosted by his good final quarter.
Palmi bagged 20 points and grabbed six rebounds. The hero of the match excelled especially in threes, which he threw in four out of eleven. There was one two-point basket and 6/7 free throws were successful.
Seagulls Shavon Coleman reached a double-double with 19 points and ten rebounds.
The decisive seventh match will be played on Saturday at the Töölö race hall in Helsinki.
BC Nokia leads the second semi-final series against Kataja 3–2. The teams will meet on Friday.