By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
TD Systems Baskonia snapped a four-game losing streak to Anadolu Efes overcoming the Turkish outlet, 77-59, at the Sinan Erdem Dome Friday evening.
Alec Peters returning to Istanbul for the first time after the premature ending of the previous season lighted up his former team with a game-high 18 points. He also put up seven rebounds and three assists in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 12 contest.
“You are familiar with the gym, so I was familiar with being here,” he said after the match, “I really wanted to have a good one today and I really wanted the win, so I am glad that we were able to accomplish that.”
Achille Polonara and Youssoupha Fall added 12 points apiece. Pierria Henry effective in limiting Shane Larkin logged in 11 points on the offensive end. Luca Vildoza was sidelined.
“We knew exactly how to play some plays differently, different kinds of defense, and I think this was the key for our victory,” took out head coach Dusko Ivanovic, “I think we had patience on offense tonight. We looked for advantages, whether we played in the low post or for the shooters.”
“We played great defense today. They scored less than 60 points, so we did a great job, especially on the road,” added Polonara, “It is never easy to come here and win a game. I think we had a lot of energy and a lot of intensity, played good defense, got rebounds, and tried to run to find easy buckets in the fastbreak.”
For the hosts featuring several returning players, Larkin ended up with a team-high eight points held to 2/11 field goals. Sertac Sanli and Adrien Moerman followed with seven points each. Tibor Pleiss was out.
“In the past three years that I am with this team, this is the first time I saw my team play horrible basketball and also to give up in one game,” claimed Ergin Ataman, “With this team, we played the EuroLeague Final, we dominated the EuroLeague last year, and also this year, in the last five games, we played perfect and we won many games. So OK, I accept the excuse that one game, also, we can [play badly].”
The rebounding edge, 39-28, largely helped the visitors improve to 6-5. The 15 offensive rebounds especially hurt the Turkish outlet drowning all comeback bids.
Up next for Baskonia, a home ACB game versus Delteco GBC Sunday. Another home affair, against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv Thursday will bring them back to Europe’s premier competition following two consecutive wins on the road.
The losing side down to 6-5 will host LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Tuesday and return to Spain to face Valencia Thursday.