By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Thanks to a tremendous second half output Galatasaray did not only beat Gran Canaria in Istanbul for their first battle in the Eurocup semifinals, but also got a solid point difference by winning with 89 – 75. It remains to be seen how the Spaniards will respond in the re-match, which expected with extreme interest.
In order to gain that advantage, Galatasaray needed lots of diverse help from many players. Chuck Davis (18 pt. 10 reb. 4 as.) and Stephane Lasme (14 pt. 5 reb.) controlled the paint on both ends of court, particularly during the third quarter, while Huseyin Koksal (13 pt.) also appeared as an x-factor for his team, firing crucial three-pointers in key moments of the second half. Errick McCollum added 18 points almost casually.
Alen Omic was the best player for Gran Canaria, yet he scored 11th out of his 15 points in the first twenty minutes of the game. The hosts’ disruption of the cooperation between their opposing guards and the Slovenian center was half the defensive, and not only, victory, since every stop they made, multiplied the opportunities that appeared on the other side of the court.
Ergin Ataman’s players thrived every single time they caught their opposing defense unprepared, by passing the ball around excellently and moving smart without it. Both of these elements were quite common in Galatasaray’s offensive efforts, mainly during third and fourth period. After halftime, the hosts first completed a 12 – run to make it 61 – 45 from 49 – 45, and then through Koksal’s actions, took a 19-point difference.
Albert Oliver and Pablo Aguilar provided some big shots that decreased the deficit to 85 – 75 but Galatasaray put the finishing touch in its game with four consecutive points that created the final score.