Lokomotiv Kuban punched their EuroChallenge Final ticket. They overcame Spartak Saint Petersburg in the first semifinal in Oostende tonight. Lokomotiv Kuban put on an amazing show to tame their Russian rivals.
Patrick Beverley (185-G-88, college: Arkansas) opened the game with a three-pointer but Lokomotiv quickly erased the deficit and surged ahead. Lionel Chalmers (184-G-80, college: Xavier), Jeremiah Massey (202-F-82, college: Kansas St.) and Wilkinson triggered an 11:0 run as Lokomotiv earned a 13:4 lead. Jeremiah Massey and Lionel Chalmers soon opened a double-digit lead midway through the opening stanza. Spartak stopped the bleeding as they cut the deficit at 3-point mark at the first intermission 15:18. Patrick Beverley hit a three-pointer to level things up at the start of the second stanza. Spartak pulled ahead midway through the second period but Lokomotiv quickly answered with eight points in a row to grab the advantage. Jeremiah Massey capped the half with a three-pointer as Lokomotiv Kuban posted a 41:30 halftime lead. Lokomotiv kept their opponents at bay throughout the third term. Kestutis Kemzura team earned a 60:50 lead with one quarter to go. Lokomotiv were up by 12 points with just over four minutes remaining but Nikola Dragovic (206-F-87, college: UCLA) knocked down back-to-back trebles to revive the intrigue. Pero Antic (210-F-82, agency: Interperformances) dragged Spartak within four points but Lionel Chalmers and Wilkinson came up with timely buckets and sealed the victory. Jeremiah Massey stepped up with 21 points for Lokomotiv Kuban. Lionel Chalmers contributed 20 points in the winning effort. Pero Antic answered with 14 points and 9 rebounds for Spartak SP. Patrick Beverley accounted for 13 points in the loss.

Lokomotiv Kuban: Jeremiah Massey 21, Lionel Chalmers 20, Alando Tucker 18
Spartak SP: Pero Antic 14, Patrick Beverley 13