© Bart Borgerhoff
Groningen 85 Limburg United 93 BNXT Elite Gold
An offensively strong Hubo Limburg United led in Groningen from throw to goal. The Limburgers therefore remain sixth in the elite gold and, more importantly, the third Belgian team.
Limburg traveled to Groningen on Monday morning and had a quiet ride without traffic jams. Upon arrival, they moved into the hotel and did not return to Belgium until Tuesday. Osunniyi (knee), De Zeeuw (calf) and captain Hammonds (hamstring) stayed at home.
However, unlike the previous game, Cale (15 points and 8 rebounds) and Delalieux (7 out of 11 three-pointers) were now on the appointment. Penn (5 assists and 15 points) and Ceyssens (8 out of 10 shots and 8 rebounds) also played a strong match.
© Bart Borgerhoff
“I play in a position where I have to have the ball. Last week I didn’t get enough of it. Today,” Jonas Delalieux explained his strong performance. “I’m starting the match well and that’s important. And my teammates keep hitting me.”
The Limburgers opened with a 0-7 and finished 34-44 (17′). Donar defended himself firmly and approached through Meeks and Hollanders to 45-46 (20′).
Limburg also opened after halftime (45-48) through Ceyssens, Penn and Delalieux’s fifth bomb with a 0-7 (22′ 45-55). But every time United went ahead, Groningen fought back with Meeks (32 points) as bogeyman for the Limburgers. However, Ceyssens and Penn held off the pressing home team.
“We trained very hard last week. Spicier than usual at this time of the season. But that was necessary to be there again. That has translated into today’s match,” Toon Ceyssens noted. “We ran out by 10 points or more about four times, but then we didn’t keep our wits about us in defense. That’s why Donar was able to come back again and again. We were actually 20 points better today. But I am proud of the performance we are delivering today.”
© Bart Borgerhoff
“Scoring 93 points away is fantastic, but defensively we were not always on our toes,” Delalieux also said. “Conceding 85 points is too much. Then you can be happy that you score 93. That doesn’t work every match.”
Quarters: 18-27, 27-21 (45-48), 20-23 (65-71), 20-22.
DONAR GRONINGEN: 26/51 shots (including 10/24×3), 23/31 free throws, 22 rebounds, 17 fouls. TOMSICK 6+0, MEEKS 14+18, ZUIDEMA 5+5, BABUSIS 2+0, Hollanders 14+3, Gabrovsek 2+10, Adetunji 0+0, Quinn 2+4.
HUBO LIMBURG UNITED: 36/60 shots (including 8/20×3), 13/17 free throws. 33 rebounds, 26 fouls. PENN 5+10, CALE 9+6, SERRON 4+0, DELALIEUX 14+11, CEYSSENS 4+14, Lesuisse 2+0, Van Ounsem 8+0, Leemans 2+2.