Ukrainian side Budivelnik Kiev secured an 82-79 Eurocup quarter-final first leg win over Red Star Belgrade in Kaunas, Lithuania, but the Serbians will more than fancy their chances in the second leg next week.
Janis Strelnieks came to Kiev’s rescue as they went from being 11 points up late in the third quarter to finding themselves tied up at 77-77. Thankfully, the Latvian hit three vital foul shots with 2.9 seconds left to give Budivelnik the edge going into the return fixture.
Kiev were playing in a neutral venue due to the political unrest in the Ukraine, and for the majority of the contest did not seem fazed by the temporary surroundings as they were ahead for the majority of the game. The Ukrainian champions were in command at 64-53 in the third period, but Red Star fought back in the final ten minutes to set up an intriguing tie in the Serbian capital next week.
Janis Strelnieks led Budivelnik Kiev with 20 points with Blake Ahern adding 13 and DaJuan Summers recording a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Rasko Katic led Red Star with 20 points, 14 of them were scored in the second quarter.
