By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Frutti Extra Bursaspor fought bravely until the last moment, but couldn’t cope with Gran Canaria in Las Palmas, as the hosts had control and eventually won 72-66.
Last-season finalist is thus stopped in the first playoffs round, as Gran Canaria schedules the another home-meeting in quaterfinals, with Paris which shocked Lietkabelis on the road.
John Shurna led the winning side with 17 points, while Khalifa Diop added 11, as 10 Gran Canaria players got into the scoring sheet.
Onuralp Bitim gave his all, and finished the match with 22 points and five rebounds, but it wasn’t enough for Bursa.
Zach Auguste also had a terrific match with a double-double of 14 points and rebounds, but other players failed to contribute.
Bursa even had a nine-point lead in the first period with 18-9 on the scoreboard, but the hosts managed to turn the score around already in the second period. Both teams fought bravely for every ball, and after 20 minutes Dusan Alimpijevic’s side had a 35-33 lead.
Gran Canaria took control in the third period and led for most of the way, but Bursa again pushed in the final moments and got within just a point before the final break (50-49). Still, Jaka Lakovic’s side remained calm, grabbed a double-digit midway through the final period, and the dream was over for Bursaspor.