Hoofdklasse Round 3 of Semi-Finals. Ruckers and Yellow Birds take leads

Ruckers - De Schakel 104-57

Ruckers fired past De Schakel to take 2-1 lead in the series. Ruckers outrebounded De Schakel 59-34 including a 41-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. De Schakel was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a great evening for the former international Xavier Elburg (196-96) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 14 rebounds. Bjorn Ewijk helped adding 25 points and 5 rebounds. Four Ruckers players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Dutch forward Jahmal Henar with 8 points and 7 rebounds and Laghween Brondenstein scored 10 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games.
Top scorers:
Ruckers: B.Ewijk 25+5reb+1ast, X.Elburg 16+14reb+3ast, J.Fisher 14+8reb+2ast, S.Fraser 11+9reb+4ast, M.Miquel 9, W.Gylan 9+1reb+4ast
De Schakel: L.Brondenstein 10+2reb, J.Henar 8+7reb+3ast, S.Vito 6+5reb, E.Ritfeld 6+4reb, H.Chico 5+1reb, G.Wielingen 5+2reb

SCVU - Yellow Birds 56-59

Yellow Birds upset SCVU to gain the advantage. It was a good game for international forward Dancell Leter (198-97) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds. International Chaief Wielingen (188-0) contributed with 13 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Four Yellow Birds players scored in double figures. International forward Earvin De-Randamie (190-92) answered with 12 points and 8 rebounds and Sergio Panka added 7 points and 12 rebounds in the effort for SCVU. SCVU's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help.
Top scorers:
Yellow Birds: D.Leter 16+15reb, W.Chaief 13+7reb+1ast, P.Shankar 11+7reb+1ast, X.Van Ams 10+4reb, F.Krak 4+1reb, S.Donneghy 3+1reb+1ast
SCVU: D.Earvin 12+8reb+2ast, R.Wills 9+5reb, O.Patterson 9+4reb+4ast, A.Dongo 8+3reb+1ast, S.Panka 7+12reb+1ast, L.Weibolt 4+1reb+2ast