Andrei Kirilenko stars as CSKA Moscow storm into the Final Four; down Gescrap BB 73-71: Euroleague Recap
Andrei Kirilenko aka ‘AK-47’ loaded 23 points and hauled down 8 rebounds, the final one coming with just 2 seconds remaining on the clock, to ensure CSKA Moscow’s charge into the Final Four of the Euroleague.
Playing in Bilbao, they beat Gescrap BB 73-71.
Coming into the game on Friday night, the Russian giants just needed one final push against the spirited Gescrap BB in the game-4 of the best of five series.
They did that alright, and after few tough minutes to start the game, pulled away with a 7 point unanswered run to carve out a 13-21 lead. Janis Blum made a two pointer for the Spaniard to end the first quarter at 15-21.
The Russians were on the charge though and their intensity was epitomized by three emphatic dunks midway through the second, the last one form Kirilenko which pushed the lead into double figures, 36-26. CSKA
were leading by 28-39 at the break and the game had a one sided feel to it till then.
That however changed in the second half, which Gescrap started with a dagger from downtown. Moscow retaliated in kind immediately, but there was extra spring in the steps of the Spaniards and after ending
the third at 47-56, they really let it rip in the last 7 minutes.
Down by 14,
Aaron Jackson scored five point on a trot to start a massive 21-8 run that put Bilbao with a striking distance at 70-71, with only seconds remaining on the clock.
Milos Teodosic was fouled immediately by Gescrap, but the veteran calmly slipped in both from the stripe to hand Moscow a 3 point lead. Gescrap had one final chance to take the game into overtime, but Jamont
Gordon fouled Jackson, who after making the first one, clanked the second one on purpose. Kirilenko was however aware of the situation and grabbed the all important rebound to ice the game.
Ramunas Siskauskas and Nenad Krstic tallied 13 points each for the Russians, who also got 10 points from Viktor Khryapa.
Bilbao were led by Jackson. The point guard 11 of his 19 points in the last quarter and also dished out 8 assists. D’Or Fischer chipped in with 12 points while Axel Hervelle
had 10 for Gescrap, who finished their first ever season in Euroleague with a lot of positives and some memories to cherish.
Jackson summed up their spirits after the game;
"It was a hard loss for us, but I am proud of my team anyway. I have to say thanks to our supporters because they were amazing. We did the best we can and we reached the playoffs, but now we have to be focused
on the Spanish League. We have our goal, the playoffs. We want to come back to Europe next year. Our team showed the world we were here to fight and to win, no matter if the other team was CSKA or anyone else."
Andrei Kirilenko,
CSKA Moscow,
Gescrap BB,
Euroleague,
Ramunas Siskauskas,
Nenad Krstic,
Milos Teodosic,
Aaron Jackson
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