By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A 14-point cushion went to dust before Tofas Bursa recovered to secure the win, 85-75, against SIG Strasbourg on Wednesday evening.
Turkish point guard Berk Ugurlu recording eight of his ten points in the fourth quarter got the job done in the Basketball Champions League Regular Season Round 4 fixture. The former Fenerbahce player also registered seven assists and two steals.
Croatian big man Tomislav Zubcic was the driving force in creating the initial distance. He ended up with 14 points. Jeremy Simmons banked in a season-high 15 points powered by 7/7 two-pointers. Pako Cruz added 12 points.
The second win in a row opposite Strasbourg was only the third overall in 11 home games in the BCL and improved the team led by Hakan Demir to 3-1 in Group F. A 4-3 start illustrates the domestic picture in Turkey’s BSL.
Despite plenty of players recently coming off the injury list, visiting boss Lassi Tuovi still missed Jarell Eddie. The Tofas Arena loss dropped the French team to 2-2 in Group F, off the heels of five consecutive wins in France’s Betclic Elite LNB Pro A jumping the domestic record to 5-2.
It still got interesting after the break at Bursa as veteran swingman Tony Crocker set the game-high at 22 points for the visitors. John Roberson logged 15 points and six assists. Yannis Morin finished with 12 points.
Round 5, to be played in the second week of December, will travel Tofas at Filou Oostende and Strasbourg at Kalev/Cramo.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League