By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A tight game producing fireworks late, mainly from the hands of Markus Howard.
Cazoo Baskonia outlasted Partizan Mozzart Bet, 103-96, in overtime Friday.
Howard, 23, forced the extra period with a buzzer-beating three-pointer wrapping up a 12-point effort in the fourth quarter alone. Scoring five more points in overtime, he upped his tally to 33 in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 2 contest, including eight of the team’s total of 17/38 triples. Winning the EuroLeague home opener, his side jumped to 2-0.
“It is just good to get a win in our home arena. Our fans helped us to get this one,” he credited the crowd, “It’s been an adjustment, transitioning to the European game. I’m still getting used to the game and playing with my new team. Fortunately, I have great teammates; they welcomed me with open arms. Just to get the win like tonight, it was really big for our team.”
With injured center Steven Enoch unavailable, Matt Costello took over more duties inside and logged 19 points. Captain Rokas Giedraitis had 13 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.
“You can see it everywhere around here, the Baskonia character. We did a good job fighting until the end, even when probably no one in the gym expected us to win,” said Darius Thompson after contributing 11 points, “It is our biggest thing, playing together. People probably count us out, don’t pick us to win games, but if we stay together and as a team, we can fight to do anything.”
The team guided by nine-time EuroLeague champion Zeljko Obradovic was narrowly short of the first EuroLeague win in eight years and instead was forced down to 0-2 with a couple of losses on the road to start the season. Captain Kevin Punter dropping 26 points was not enough at Fernando Buesa Arena nor was Zach LeDay posting a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double. Aleksa Avramovic and Alen Smailagic both remained on the injury list.
“Very difficult to say anything because I believe we played good,” mentioned the losing head coach, “It was very easy to win the game in regulation. What happened is the beauty of basketball. Congratulations to Baskonia. Both teams fought until the end.”
From drawing up a nine-point lead in the first quarter, the visitors improved on the defensive end after the break and rallied back in the lead. It was actually looking pretty good until James Nunnally missed a free throw and created the opportunity for Howard and Baskonia to strike back at the end of regulation.
“We won playing together, playing with a heart, and we were a little lucky. And it was Markus Howard in the last few minutes,” said head coach Joan Penarroya, “It is an important victory for us, but we still need to improve in all areas. But it is important for us to have two victories.”
Moving forward in the 2022-23 campaign, the team from Vitoria-Gasteiz will visit Casademont Zaragoza Sunday before focusing on the first double-game week of the EuroLeague season and home fixtures opposite Crvena Zvezda mts and Olympiacos Wednesday and Friday, respectively.
Getting to play at home for the first time this season, Partizan will host SC Derby looking to jump to 3-0 in the AdmiralBet ABA League Sunday, and then get EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and Virtus Segafredo Bologna in Belgrade Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net