By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Tenerife celebrated in Game 1 of the Basketball Champions League Quarterfinal series by defeating Galatasaray 84-83 on their home court.
Patty Mills, who joined Tenerife during the season, scored 20 points (7/10 from the field, 4/4 free throws) and led the hosts to an advantage. Giorgi Shermadini had 14 points, while another veteran Marcelinho Huertas contributed with 12.
On the other side, Errick McCollum scored 17 points, one more than James Palmer and John Meeks, while Freddie Gillespie had 12.
The fourth game of the day’s schedule and the fourth victory for the home team. After this triumph, Tenerife is one step away from advancing further.
Hosts held the lead for most of the game, but Galatasaray managed a comeback at the end of the first and the beginning of the second half. However, Txus Vidorreta’s team, riding on the experience of their veterans, managed to overturn the score and were close to victory, as they led 82-67 with four minutes left on the clock.
Then, almost the comeback of the year happened. Galatasaray erased the opponent’s lead, hitting two three-pointers in the final minute and closing the gap to just one point (84-83) with six seconds remaining. They then fouled Tim Abromaitis, who missed both free throws, giving the Turks a chance to win. However, James Palmer missed the three-point shot.
The next match is scheduled for next Wednesday, and Galatasaray must win to force a decisive third game in the series.
Postgame press conference: