By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Dairis Bertans dropped a pro level career-high 29 points and dished 5 assists leading Darussafaka Dogus to a 98 – 89 victory over Baskonia in Istanbul for the 17th Round of the EuroLeague regular season.
“I’m happy we got that win. It was very important after losing that game in Baskonia. My game started slow but then I got it going,” said the Latvian guard about his performance.
The Turkish squad is now 9 – 8 in the standings while their opponents fell to 11 – 6.
Brad Wanamaker was also instrumental in his team’s win with 21 points and 4 assists, while Adrien Moerman scored 15 and grabbed 9 rebounds. Will Clyburn had 14 points plus 9 rebounds and Scottie Wilbekin added 17 points
Darussafaka played an excellent offensive game in general, particularly in the second and third quarter where it scored 57 points combined against Baskonia’s 44. This timeframe helped David Blatt’s team overcome a 20 – 24 first period deficit, balance the match 47 – 46 at halftime and enter the fourth quarter at a 77 – 68 position of strength.
Despite Adam Hanga’s EuroLeague career-high of 19 points, the 13 points plus 4 rebounds by Toko Shengelia, and Chase Budinger’s contribution of 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, the Basques fell behind 88 – 74 with four minutes to go. It was too much for them to handle and the situation couldn’t be averted since they lacked consistency in their defense.
Plus… they couldn’t stop Bertans who sank 5 points in a row for the 95 – 80 with 2:41 to go, calling it “over”, more or less.