Levski won the third semifinal game of the series against Balkan and cut their lead to 1-2. In front of their own fans host was better by the score of 81-71 and push the series to game 4 Friday night. Semifinal series in Bulgaria are best of five. In case Levski tie the score at two apiece there will be decisive game five Monday night in Botevgrad.
Levski entered the game much better and pulled the lead from the start. Guests had problems scoring and at the end of the first quarter Levski had 19-14 lead. Balkan came closer in the second quarter but still a three pointer by Lionel Chalmers at the buzzer gave Levski 40-35 lead at the break.
The second half proved to be decisive for the outcome of the game. Levski made a series of 12 consecutive points after the Balkan scored the first two points of the third quarter. Brandon Heath was in the middle of everything for the hosts and quickly they turn their advantage in 20 points lead - 60-40 in the middle of the third quarter. Balkan cut it to 13 ahead of the last ten minutes of the game - 68-55.
The last pquarter art was very nervous but the difference in favor of Levski was enough for the win. Final score - 81-71.
Man of the game of course was Heath - 24 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds . Chalmers added 17 points and 11 rebounds while Mike Wilkinson finished with 13 points.
Ivan Lilov scored 24 points for Balkan and Pavel Marinov finished with 11.
Match number 4 is on Friday at 18.00 local time in "Universiada" hall in Sofia.
