By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Fenerbahce Beko saw AS Monaco coming back from a 19-point deficit before escaping with a 96 – 93 away win to improve its EuroLeague-best record to 8-1.
Nigel Hayes-Davis scored a season-high 21 points and grabbed five rebounds in arguably his best performance with the Fener jersey. He also drained a key pair of free throws for the 91 – 94 with 16 seconds remaining.
“We knew we had a comfortable lead but maybe we got a bit too comfortable,” Hays-Davis said. “The coach tried to tell us to not give them the chance because for sure they have the talent to come back. And they did. Luckily, we were able to make some key stops. Especially when Mike James has the ball they always got a chance. We all thought that the last shot will go in. It didn’t and we got the win.”
Monaco leading scorer (18 points) Jordan Loyd hit 2-2 from the line when Fenerbahce fouled to prevent a potential game-tying shot and then Marko Guduric also made both of his free throws. On the other end, Mike James misfired from downtown and Monaco suffered its second straight EuroLeague loss and third consecutive overall.
Monaco trailed 54 – 73 with a minute remaining in the third quarter but the combined efforts of Alpha Diallo (10 out of his 16 points in the fourth period, plus five rebounds), Elie Okobo (eight points in the final period, 12 overall) led an almost complete turnaround for the hosts. Okobo hit a triple for the 89 – 92 with 1:22 to play, putting Monaco at a shooting distance for the first time after the mid of the second period.
Donta Hall tipped the ball in to put Monaco even closer, 91 – 92, but Fenerbahce held on by making the key free throws in the last seconds.
“I am proud of my team and I congratulate my players,” Fenerbahce coach Dimitris Itoudis said. “Obviously it’s a tough road game over here against a very quality team. We were in control I think. We probably gained a big margin by sharing the ball and shooting spot shots in the third quarter. Then we got them to bonus situation to early with four fouls in the first three-four minutes in the fourth period and we couldn’t defend the way we wanted to. We made some turnovers and Monaco has a lot of quality and they came back. But we managed to be composed on the free-throw line, make good plays and get the win.”
Nick Calathes had 15 points plus seven assists for Fenerbahce that led for the entire game after the first period and had a furious third quarter (22-34) before Monaco’s comeback. Scottie Wilbekin contributed 13 points and seven dimes of his own while Carsen Edwards scored 12.
James finished with 17 points (4-14 shots) and seven assists for Monaco. “We lost the game but we could’ve won,” Monaco coach Sasa Obradovic said. “We played with big character in the fourth period. We go to the next one. We don’t expect anything easy. I’m not disappointed.”