Apollo Amsterdam was able to keep up with Donar from Groningen in the first quarter. Despite this, in the end there was a big loss. This was mainly due to Artjoms Butjankovs, who was important in the second quarter with three-pointers and free throws: 58-87.
Apollo has not started the season in the BNXT-League well. The first six games were all lost and cup winner Donar came to Amsterdam on Saturday. After the first quarter it was 23-19 for Donar. The Groningers had quickly distanced themselves from Apollo and were even seven points ahead. That was partly due to Vernon Taylor, who made the difference. The team from Amsterdam came alongside, Kester Ofoegbu asserted himself with some nice dunks.
Team mistakes
Early in the second quarter came Apollo or five team errors. Each subsequent violation then resulted in two free throws. This played into the hands of the visitors, who eagerly took advantage of these opportunities. Artyoms Butyankovs was often the victim of a foul. The Latvia international then stoically used the subsequent free throws. At halftime, Donar had run further: 46-31.
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Apollo Amsterdam player Sam Vianen: “This team has real potential” – NH Sport/Frank van der Meijden
The gap that the Groningers had made in the first part was expanded after the break. That was how it stood at 71-41 after the third quarter ended. The lead continued to grow steadily due to the large number of hitting free throws.
Size too big
The difference in power kept getting bigger, so Wierd Goedee’s team tried to limit the damage. The basket was attacked mainly via long shots, without much success. The gap of thirty points was hardly less in the last quarter. The final score was 87-58 for Donar.
The defeat leaves Apollo in last place in the BNXT league. Den Helder Suns, the other North Holland participant, will play against Landstede Hammers later in the evening. Suns is currently second to last in the league.
Apollo coach Wierd Goedee: “We are catching up” – NH Sport/Frank van der Meijden
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