By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Galatasaray Nef lost a comfortable lead but managed to get the job done, 89-85, versus Igokea without captain Goksenin Koksal at Laktasi Sports Hall.
Trinidadian-American DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell kept his hot streak going early in the 2021-22 season with 31 points behind 4/5 three-pointers and 7/10 two-pointers. In addition, the Basketball Champions League expert recorded five rebounds and four assists in the Regular Season Round 2 fixture.
The team led by Ekrem Menmum missing Koksal (personal) saw an early 16-point lead disappear after the break. The Bosnian side regained the lead early in the fourth quarter.
With the back-and-forth affair keeping things close down the stretch, former Maryland standout Melo Trimble sank four clutch free throws securing the win for the Lions in the only game of the week between two undefeated teams. He ended up with 12 points.
American-born naturalized Bulgarian Dee Bost went for 17 points netting 6/10 field goals in Laktasi, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Kerry Blackshear Jr. added 11 points, seven rebounds and four steals as Galatasaray jumped to 2-0 in Group E. The Turkish club, currently 2-1 at the domestic level, will be looking for a 3-0 Champions League start visiting PAOK mateco in an upcoming Monday “Game of the Week” scheduled for October 25.
On the opposite end, Antabia Waller connected six triples firing a team-high 22 points. The loss forced the team coached by Dragan Bajic to 1-1, a few days after upsetting Crvena Zvezda mts and improving to 2-1 in the ABA League. The next BCL game will be on the road against ERA Nymburk on October 26.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League