Azovmash Mariupol managed to end Kyiv’s 21-game winning streak, blowing their main rivals out 88:68.

Kyiv’s depleted line-up had difficulty dealing with Mariupol’s pick and rolls as the home side’s big men contributed to Azovmash’s initial 12:6 lead. Tomo Mahoric’s frontcourt changes did not help and the host finished the 1st quarter up with 15 more unanswered points – 27:6.

Mariupol zoned up on defense in the second and the visitors took advantage, nailing some shots from downtown. Josh Davis also managed to get his team several more second chances, reducing the lead to 12 by halftime.

Kyiv kept up the pressure after the intermission: tough defense made the hosts rush their shots, while Artur Drozdov scored a couple of threes and a dunk to bring his team within 4, which made Mariupol call time.

The timeout ignited Azovmash’s 12:0 run, giving Kyiv an unrecoverable blow. The defending champions had no difficulty holding on to the win thereafter.

Kyiv are now waiting for an outcome of the remainder of the Saturday’s Superleague games to finish. That’s when they will learn who their first playoff opponent will be.

Kyiv’s juniors, meanwhile, were more successful in Mariupol. They managed to defeat Azovmash 100:87 behind an even production from 6 players that scored in double figures.

Ruslan Otverchenko scored 8 quick points for the visitors, giving his team a 17:8 lead. Mariupol reduced the lead to 3 by the end of the 1st quarter.

The hosts even managed to briefly get ahead, but Otverchenko drained a big three and Denys Lukashov initiated several fast-breaks to regain the lead.

After finishing the first half 41:34, Kyiv held on to the lead till the end.

Kyiv’s Denys Lukashov was the game’s top scorer with 22 points. Andrei Lebedintsev demonstrated a solid all-around game: 18 points, 6 rebounds and 8 steals.