By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Darussafaka stayed alive in the Basketball Champions League with a convincing win, 85-66, versus back-to-back champion Hereda San Pablo Burgos Tuesday evening.
Former Toledo standout Nathan Boothe banked in 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Stuffing the stat sheet as well, Turkish point guard Dosus Ozdemiroglu went for 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals in Game 2 of the best-of-three Play-In series.
Dacka forced a deciding Game 3 to be played at Coliseum Burgos. The Turkish side never trailed in Game 2. Dominating the second half and distancing itself by a margin of 20 points midway through the fourth quarter secured the key victory.
British international Gabriel Olaseni dropped 14 points plus a game-high seven rebounds. Troy Caupain contributed 12 points and a game-high nine assists for the team coached by Selcuk Ernak coming off big domestic wins versus Fenerbahce Beko and Galatasaray Nef since Game 1.
On the opposite end, new head coach Paco Olmos missed ineligible Jarell Eddie. Also sidelined, Tyrus McGee, Aleksej Nikolic, and Julian Gamble did not make the trip to Istanbul, Turkey. Captain Vitor Benite returned to action but was limited to three points behind 1/6 field goal attempts at Volkswagen Arena.
The first game in two weeks for the Castilian team featured veteran guard Alex Renfroe packing 11 points to record a team-high and the lone double-digit scoring performance.
Game 3 winner on Thursday will join Round of 16 Group J. Baxi Manresa, Tofas Bursa, and NutriBullet Treviso await their remaining opponent.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League