By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
In an all-Turkish clash, Anadolu Efes prevailed over Darussafaka 93-81 and improved to 9-10 in the standings, while David Blatt’s team fell to 10-9.
Brandon Paul led the winners with 21 points, while Thomas Heurtel had 17 points and 7 assists.
Still, it was a big game night for Ante Zizic, who finished the game with 16 points and 18 rebounds, his best Euroleague performance so far. Brad Wanamaker also had a satisfying game with 24 points and 6 assists.
The first quarter belonged to Efes with Brandon Paul and Cedi Osman leading the way. After 10 minutes, Velimir Perasovic‘s team was up 25-19.
Birkan Batuk (10 points) tied the game at 27 points at 13′, then Bertans (10 points) and Zizic gave a short 6-point head to the visiting team, 32-38. Still, Efes managed to ran a 10-0 and was up 42-38 at halftime.
Moerman (11 points) gave a breather to Dacka at 23′, scoring a long distance shot, then Heurtel drilled another three to place Efes ahead 55-54. After 30 minutes, the hosts kept a 64-56 lead.
The visitors approached again in the final period, this time it was Wanamaker who paced his team (75-74), then Bryant Dunston (14 points) made it a 7-point game again at 37′. Efes expanded to a double digit lead with a little over a minute remaining and sealed an important victory.