BC Kyiv have defeated Ukrainian Superleague newcomers BC Donetsk 59:52 in a friendly game during a training camp in Spain.

All Kyiv players had been worn out during intensive endurance drills prior to the game, but their head coach Sasa Obradovic still stressed he expected his team to treat the game professionally and do their best during it.

The Ukrainian vice-champions did look tired during the first quarter. They had some problems on defense, giving Donetsk second chances and allowing their center Oleh Kozhenets dominate in the paint.  Kyiv’s reserves Denys Lukashov and Oleh Saltovets improved their team’s performance, allowing them to even the game up after an 11:17 first quarter loss. Later Ryan Stack hit a triple to put his team up by two at the end of the second quarter.

Obradovic used Lukashov at point in the third quarter, moving Scoonie Penn to SG. This made Kyiv more mobile and enabled them to run the floor. Donetsk, however, used Martynas Andriukaitis very effectively, and he was the one not to allow the Wolves extend the lead.

Clay Tucker ignited his team’s run at the start of the final frame and Kyiv gained a comfortable 55:42 lead. But Donetsk clawed their way back in the game with a 10:0 outbreak.

Despite Donetsk’s run, Kyiv managed to hold on to the lead and come out victorious. Forward Oleh Saltovets played a huge role in the success, scoring a couple of key baskets down the stretch.