By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Valencia achieved a victory in the first round of the EuroLeague by defeating Besiktas away with a score of 96-94.
The decision came in a wild finish, where the home team had a chance to win. However, Jaylen Nowell missed a three-pointer in the last second, after which the guests secured their first two points. Before that, Eugene Omoruyi and Kameron Taylor each missed two free throws.
The game in Istanbul was played in streaks, with a double-digit number of lead changes, and it all came down to the last few possessions, with the crucial basket scored by TJ Shorts entering the final minute.
He was also the top scorer with 26 points, Nikola Mirotic had 13, and Armoni Brooks, Jasiel Rivero, Neal Sako, and Cameron Taylor each had ten. On the other side, Jaylen Nowell scored 17 points, as did Eugene Omoruyi, while Conor Morgan had 15.
Fenerbahce survives Virtus
Fenerbahce also celebrated in the first round of the EuroLeague, as they defeated Virtus 78-68 in front of their fans.
The guest put up a very good fight, staying in the game until the very end, and Virtus even had a lead with six minutes left in the game (64-63). However, Fener played much better defense, showed experience, and managed to break the game and avoid drama in the final minute of the match.
Talen Horton Tucker was the top scorer with 13 points, Wade Baldwin also had 12, as did Shavon Shields, while Braxton Key had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
For Virtus, Marcus Carr scored 12 points, while Derrick Alston scored 10.
Partizan celebrates in Belgrade
Partizan also recorded a victory at the close of the first round, celebrating at home against Olimpia Milano with a score of 92-76, thanks to a masterful performance by Carlik Jones.
Carlik was the top scorer with 20 points and ten assists, Lamar Stevens had 11, and Kevarrius Hayes also reached double figures with ten points. For the visitors, Marko Guduric and Alec Peters scored 17 points each, while Devon Hall added 13.
Partizan was in the lead for most of the game, but Olimpia managed to catch up towards the end of the third quarter (57-57). However, a series by the home team followed, with Carlik Jones dominating.
He scored eight points and assisted on another eight of the first 16 points for the home team in the final quarter, as Partizan pulled away to a double-digit lead and ultimately secured the victory in Belgrade.
EuroLeague Round 1
Thursday, September 24
Dubai – Real Madrid 78-77
Hapoel Tel Aviv – Bayern Munich 84-86
Crvena zvezda – Žalgiris 77-83
Panathinaikos – Paris Basketball 91-72
Baskonia – Olympiacos 89-106
Barcelona – Anadolu Efes 89-82
ASVEL – Maccabi Tel Aviv 84-74
Friday, September 25
Beşiktaş – Valencia 94-96
Fenerbahçe – Virtus Bologna 78-68
Partizan – Olimpia Milano 92-76
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