By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul put on a show to recover from back-to-back defeats and ends this double-game week in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with an 80-41 victory over visiting UNICS Kazan.
Fener left no room for their visitors and dominated the first quarter 21-8, as UNICS suffered significantly in their shooting percentages. The deficit escalated to 44-22 by halftime and from that point onward, there was no turning back for the Russian team.
The hosts closed up the third quarter with a 34-point lead (61-27) and set the foundation for this great win, which also marks a negative record in the competition for UNICS, as one of the least points allowed in a game.
“It was a terrible game and I am sorry for the fans of our club”, commented coach Velimir Perasovic briefly after the game.
Newcomer Marial Shayok had 17 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, Devin Booker posted 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals and Nando De Colo added up to the efforts of Sasa Djordjevic’s squad with 13 points.
Spirits were lifted, as Fener reacted to get back to wins. “It feels great. We stuck together and played the full 40. The last game we had a tough second half, so it was important for us to play the full 40 minutes hard and together defensively with a lot of great energy. When we’re on the same page, we are hard to beat”, said Shayok after the win.
The Turkish side recovered from a tough loss against ALBA Berlin earlier in the week to move on with a 2-2 record, as they prepare to face Real Madrid on the road next week.
On the other hand, UNICS came to Istanbul with momentum from their 73-70 victory against Bayern on Tuesday, their first one of the season, only to be stopped in an emphatic manner. Isaiah Canaan had 10 points to lead the team’s poor offensive effort and now they will try to recover from the lost ground next week when they take on reigning champions Anadolu Efes.
Photo: EuroLeague