Lokomotiv shocked by Loimaa in VTB

LokomotivLokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar was shocked on the road by Nilan Bisons Loimaa as the 11th round of the 2014/2015 VTB United League opened with two games. The Russians are one of the contenders for the title this season, while Finnish club Nilan Bisons are fighting near the bottom of the standings.

The hosts managed to pick up a shock result, but needed an added overtime period to get the job done. In the other game of the night, Kalev/Cramo Tallinn overcame VEF Riga 88-85 at home in an exciting encounter that was open until the last seconds.

Nilan Bisons Loimaa vs. Lokomotiv Kuban, 82-77
Lokomotiv finished the Eurocup Regular Season unbeaten in midweek and the Russians started well in this encounter, taking the first quarter 16-20. By halftime Lokomotiv had extended to 29-42 and looked to be cruising toward a win. However, Loimaa woke up in the second half and a 25-13 run in the third frame gave the hosts a platform to win the fourth quarter and tie the game at the end of regulation, 71-71. In the added overtime period Nilan Bisons outpaced the Russians 11-6 to win the game. The victory pushed the Finnish team to 3-9 in the table, but the club has a lot to do from fifteenth place. As for Lokomotiv, they stay in fifth place with a 6-5 record.

Anthony Hilliard drove the success and was the Nilan attacking outlet with 25 points and 6 scoring passes. He was followed by four other players in the roster registering double figures, Matti Nuutinen (13), Travis Nelson (12), Aaron Johnson (11), and Tuukka Kotti with a double-double of 10 points and 10 boards.

Derrick Brown paced Lokomotiv with 18 points, while Krunoslav Simon scored 15 points and Richard Hendrix doubled up with 15 points and 13 rebounds in the losing effort.

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