«Vita» Tbilisi, Georgia vs. «Bisons» Loimaa, Finland

Bisons defeated Vita in Tbilisi, 77-63. A big 2nd-quarter run put the visitors on top by 12 points and Bisons held onto the advantage in the second half, securing their 8th win of the season.

Recap
Vita came agonizingly close to its first win in the league last week, losing by one point to Kalev at home. Not surprisingly, the Georgians hoped to finally get over the hump vs. another northern club on Wednesday.

Unfortunately for the fans, Vita struggled from outside in the opening minutes and failed to slow down Tuukka Kotti and Martin Zeno. The visitors enjoyed a five-point lead, 18-13, at the end of the 1st quarter, holding Vita to 25% shooting from the field.

Bisons' defense tightened the screws further in the 2nd quarter. Leading by three, 22-19, the visitors held Vita scoreless for four minutes to go on top by 15, 34-19. Daniel Bejarano finally ended the home team's slump, knocking down a two-point jumper, but the damage was already done. At halftime, Vita trailed by 12, 38-26.

Despite improved offense in the second half, the Georgians had no answer for Bisons' American trio of Paul Hill, Ike Udanoh and Martin Zeno.

Vita briefly cut the deficit to 10 early in the 4th quarter, but that was as close as the home team would get. Hill and Zeno hit back-to-back 3's and Bisons cruised to a 14-point win, the team's 8th of the season.

Star Player
Martin Zeno. The American big man led the way for Bisons from the opening tip. He orchestrated the offense and finished with a game-high 21 points on 8-12 shooting.

Stat of the Game
20% (6-30) - An abysmal night from beyond the arc doomed Vita's upset hopes.