BC Kyiv have allowed BC Donetsk to get one step closer to the Finals, losing the third game of the semifinal series  85:78.

Kyiv was ready to resist the home side’s efforts to feed the ball down low to their big men, playing great deny defense, but this only made things worse for the vice-champions as Andres Rodrigues, having no one to pass the ball too, took matter in his own hand, scoring 15 points in the first quarter. As a result – an eight-point deficit for the visitors at the period expired.

Donets had no intention to slow down, getting hotter and hotter from beyond the ark. The Superleague newcomers drained seven three-pointers in the frame, getting a 21-point advantage by halftime.

Kyiv made the necessary adjustments during the intermission and cut the lead to 14 during the next quarter. Manuchar Markoishvili put his team well within reach midway through the final period after he connected on a three-ball that made the score 72:79.

Donetsk, however, replied with five straight points and restored a comfortable lead, holding on to it up until the final buzzer.

Kyiv forward Oleg Saltovets had one of the best games of his career, erupting for 23 points and 6 rebounds. Nikola Vasic added 21.

Rodrigues finished the contest with 20 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds and 5 steals.