By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The new and improved, Zeljko Obradovic-led Partizan Belgrade put on an offensive show in its 2021-22 EuroCup premiere.
Kevin Punter scored all of his 26 points by the end of the third period and had six rebounds for 38 PIR as Partizan beat EuroCup newcomer Hamburg Towers 106 – 97 on the road, more easily than what the final score shows.
The 106 points are a club record for Partizan in EuroCup and was accomplished despite the team’s 22 turnovers. “Imagine if we didn’t have 22 turnovers how much we would score,” Obradovic said.
Partizan was up even by 28 when Dallas Moore (17 points) drained a 3-pointer for the 43 – 71 three minutes into the second half. After trailing by 22 early in the fourth period, Hamburg made a push and managed to cut its deficit to nine with a bit less than three minutes to play but couldn’t get any closer.
Caleb Homesley (21 points, seven assists), Jaylon Brown (18 points) and Zachary Brown (15 points, six rebounds) were the top contributors for Hamburg.
Alen Smaigalic had 13 points plus nine rebounds for Partizan while Yam Madar finished with 13 points and five assists (but also five turnovers).
Two more games took place for Group A on Tuesday (20/10). In the season opener, Turk Telekom defeated Boulogne Metropolitans 73 – 65 behind 18 points and 13 assists by Alex Perez.
Later, Joventut Badalona routed Trento 86 – 56 on the road. The trio of Ante Tomic (13 points, eight rebounds), Joel Parra (13 points, five rebounds) and Vladimir Brondziasky (13 points, five rebounds) led Badalona in scoring.
Photo: Marvin Contessi via EuroCup Basketball