By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Despite missing Jordan Bone, Besiktas Icrypex managed to secure the double-overtime win, 82-79, versus Rytas Vilnius on Tuesday.
Trevon Bluiett recorded 21 points with 7/13 field goals, including 3/6 triples in his best appearance since moving his talents overseas in September. Dedric Lawson, another European newcomer from the USA, added 17 points plus 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block in the Basketball Champions League Regular Season contest.
Former Brooklyn Net, Isaiah Whitehead was the difference-maker scoring five out his side’s eight points in the second extra period after his jumper bounced off the rim at the end of the first overtime. His go-ahead bucket with 33 seconds left got him up to 16 points, paired with a game-high nine assists.
Bone, 23, had scored 38 points over the first two games of the competition but did not suit up in Round 3. However, the team coached by Ahmet Kandemir improved to 2-1 in Group H, while also carrying a 3-3 tally in Turkey’s BSL.
The visitors, still lacking injured players Tanner Leissner and Jarvis Williams, fell deep into a double-digit hole early in the visit to Istanbul. The deficit peaked at 21 points before the comeback bid was launched.
Vilnius-born sharpshooter Margiris Normantas, instrumental in Rytas getting back in the game, registered a team-high 18 points. Mindaugas Girdziunas and Gytis Radzevicius had 13 points apiece. Ivan Buva followed with 12 points but missed the chance to knock out his former team by splitting a couple of free throws with 1.6 seconds remaining in regulation.
From 6-1 in Lithuania’s LKL to 1-2 in the BCL. The team led by Giedrius Zibenas will be visiting domestic rival Zalgiris Kaunas on Sunday. After the narrow loss at Akatlar Arena, the opportunity for revenge against the Turkish side comes up in Round 4 of the Champions League Regular Season with the reverse fixture scheduled to be held on 17 November.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League