Round Four of the 2016-17 EuroMillions League on Oct. 14th, 2016 - Stunning win for Crelan Okapi Aalstar in front of sparse crowd at the Spiroudome

Belgian Lions Kevin Tumba (ankle) and Ioann Iarochevitch (mesniscus) as well as Canadian swingman Jevohn Shepherd (knee) were on the Proximus Spirou injured list before the game against Crelan Okapi Aalstar of Coach Steve Ibens on Oct. 14th, 2016. Therefore, the Spirou staff worked hard last week and managed to find two US substitutes who were already allowed to play the game against the Okapis. Head Coach Fulvio Bastianini can count on Bryan Davis (age 29, 2.08 m, Texas A&M '10) and Brandon Bowman (age 31, 2.06 m, Georgetown '06) to help the Spirou team in the next few weeks indeed. With experienced players such as last season's Belgian Scooore! League MVP John Tofi (age 32, 2.03 m) or athletic US forward Bill Amis (age 28, 2.06 m), the Okapi squad still looks well-balanced this season.
 
In front of a sparse attendance, both teams started the game at a rather slow pace but quickly managed to speed up the tempo: 7-6 after five minutes played in the game and 22-22 at the end of the first quarter. Young US guard Max Landis (age 23, 1.88 m, IPFW '16) had been impressive in offense for Crelan Okapi Aalstar in the first ten minutes of the game.
 
Proximus Spirou Charleroi looked stronger in the second quarter and also played tougher in defense. Bryan Davis, mainly in the paint and under the basket, and Brandon Bowman, either from the wings or inside, were particularly efficient and nailed spectacular shots to boost the home team. Brandon Bowman performed very well from long range and hit 4 three-pointers in the second quarter, the last one being scored right on the half-time buzzer. The scoreboard showed 50-44 for Spirou Charleroi at the break.
 
Despite a solid first half, the men of Coach Fulvio Bastianini could not hold on for the win against the well-organized Okapis. The visitors did most of their damage in the third quarter. The squad of Coach Steve Ibens finished in front after thirty minutes: 67-73, especially thanks to the efficency of Yunio Barrueta (age 23, 1.98 m, Barry '16) from mid-range. To the joy of the home crowd, the local players reacted again in the last quarter and Spirou Charleroi took the lead at 87-85 and 89-86 with only three minutes left on the clock. Led by their Belgian experienced players Olivier Troisfontaines (age 26, 1.96 m) and Senne Geukens (age 33, 1.91 m) as well as their big men John Tofi and Bill Amis, the Okapis had a last decisive 0-11 run and eventually stunned the Spirou supporters with a final 89-97 road win after an extremeley pleasant game. It was Spirou Charleroi's third loss of the season.
 
Okapi player Senne Geukens had a perfect field-goal performance: 15 pts (5/5 from 2-point range, 1/1 from 3-point range and 2/2 from the free-throw line). Okapi swingman Olivier Troisfontaines also looked fit and well on Oct. 14th, 2016: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists. Both Belgian players led Okapi Aalstar to this big road victory over Spirou Charleroi. Brandon Bowman had 30 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 assist for Spirou Charleroi in the game.
 
Score evolution: 22-22, 50-44, 67-73 and 89-97.
Best scorers:
Spirou: B. Davis 16, B. Bowman 30, L. Schwartz 5, A. Libert 10, D.J. Richardson 14, N. Marnegrave 7, M. Gaudoux 1, A. Kemp 6.
Okapi: J. Tofi 8, B. Amis 16, S. Geukens 15, O. Troisfontaines 20, M. Landis 19, V. Taylor 2, Y. Barrueta 13, T. De Thaey 4.
 
To learn more about both teams, go to www.proximusspirou.be and www.okapiaalstar.be.
 
(Pictures: GUHoyas.com and Rachel Von of The Journal Gazette)

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