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| Important role for Chris Young
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Okapi Aalstar captures Belgian Cup
Okapi Aalstar has won on the Belgian Cup..
..by beating Port of Antwerp Giants in a very interesting final: 96-89 (35-39). In front of appr. 5.500 spectators in the Antwerp Lotto Arena Okapi Aalstar took a small lead in the first quarter (20-18) but Antwerp Giants was able to bounce back at half time: 35-39. Darnell Wilson scored most of his 18 points (5/7 2-pts, 2/4 3-pts, 2/2 FT and 7 rebounds) in the 3rd period and his input was one of the reasons that the team of Belgian head coach Eddy Casteels created a positive marging of 14 points: 51-65. Okapi Aalstar showed a lot of heart in the final stage of the game and took advantage of foul trouble of Antwerp. Center Salah Mejri (16 pts, 11 rebounds) and Darnell Wilson fouled out and the team of U.S. head coach Brad Dean closed the gap by playing "big". Center Chris Young (17 pts - 6/8 2-pts, 5/10 FT and 11 boards) played a very improtant role in the comeback (24-10 4th period) together with game MVP Kevin Kruger (31 pts) who was deadly from outside and Aalstar took the lead with 7 seconds to go: 75-73. Antwerp was able to tie the game by a drive of Michael Roll, 75-all, to go in overtime. Aalstar took control in extra time and captured the Belgian Cup: 96-89. Belgian point guard Jorn Steinbach added 6 pts, 3 assist & 3 steals for Okapi Aalstar while Ralph Biggs added 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals for Antwerp Giants.
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