The three BCL games on Wednesday night packed in a lot of action.
Hapoel Unet-Credit Holon 63-72 Pinar Karsiyaka – Group I
The away team had a slow start to the evening, failing to score in the opening six minutes of this match. However, even though they were trailing by 12 points at one stage, Pinar managed to turn things around.
In the end, it was a comfortable win for the hosts, as they handed Hapoel their first defeat of Group I.
This score creates an entertaining joust in the group, as three teams are sitting on a 2-1 record. The hosts slumped to this standing, while the victors moved themselves up to this level. They join Happy Casa Brindisi, who are also sitting with a 2-1 record after three games in this group.
Raymar Morgan offered a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds in the win, while Sek Henry chipped in with 18 points in the win. Tyrus McGee offered 14 points for Holon in their loss.
Turk Telekom 71-84 Nizhny Novgorod – Group K
The hosts entered this game with a nine match BCL winning run at home, but they were halted from making it ten in a row. Nizhny were in excellent form in defence and attack, and with their two wins, they now join AEK at the peak of Group K.
The Russian side stepped up a gear in the second quarter, and from there, the outcome of this game was never really in doubt.
Anton Astapkovich offered a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, with Kasey Shepherd also offering 19 points in the win. Nick Johnson scored 14 points in the loss for the hosts.
Lenovo Tenerife 77-64 VEF Riga – Group J
The hosts got off to a flying start, and their efforts in the opening quarter allowed them to sail through the rest of the game. At the end of the opening quarter, the score was 23-8; which included a 16-0 scoring run for Tenerife.
At one stage, the Spanish side had a 21-point lead, but as you would expect, VEF rallied to reduce this deficit. However, a nine-point gap in the third quarter was as good as it got for the away side.
Giorgio Shermandini picked up 25 points and a BCL season high of 9 rebounds. Isaiah Pineiro provided 22 points for the losing side.