By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A second win in as many Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games for Valencia.
Carrying the advantage of La Fonteta, the Oranges survived the demanding challenge of Fenerbahce Beko to prevail, 77-74, on Friday.
Brandon Davies scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half of the Regular Season Round 2 contest. Adding to a brilliant start to the 2023-24 campaign, the Brigham Young product finished with 7/13 two-pointers to go with three rebounds, three assists, and one steal over 21 minutes.
Banking in nine of his 11 points after the break, Chris Jones penetrated the defense for a clutch bucket and a three-point lead with 18.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Semi Ojeleye threw in eight points, including two free throws to seal the deal, at the bottom end of an eventful final minute.
Tyler Dorsey went for 17 points but was on the receiving end of a second technical foul and ejected with 11.4 seconds remaining. However, the last chance evaporated as Scottie Wilbekin missed the second free throw and the opportunity to tie, 75-75, with 5.3 seconds on the clock. “Obviously, with 57% free throws, we paid the price,” confessed Dimitris Itoudis.
“Unfortunately, we had a very nervous opener, where we allowed a lot of turnovers, sometimes with no possibility to have a balance to react,” added the losing tactician.
Valencia grabs 42 rebounds
The winning pulled down 42 rebounds, including 14 offensive boards, against 32 in favor of the Istanbul outfit. “It was important for us to control the rebounds. It was one of the keys for us to win the game,” mentioned head coach Alex Mumbru.
“Everybody wants to play high-level basketball. I am just happy that I am here. I am doing my job, as much as I can. I am enjoying the ride so far,” said Damien Inglis after producing ten points and five rebounds in his second EuroLeague appearance.
Despite missing Jared Harper (right shoulder), Xabi Lopez-Arostegui (left foot), and Martin Hermannsson (left knee), the Spanish club went up to 2-0 with a second straight win at home and sent the visitors to 1-1.
The hosts were leading 22-9 at the end of the first quarter, shortly before the advantage peaked at 15 points in the second quarter. “We won all the quarters, besides the first, which was a disaster for us,” commented Itoudis.
“You can’t take a lead for granted against teams like that, well-coached and very talented offensively,” said Valencia‘s top performer Davies.
Wilbekin ended up with 14 points and Nigel Hayes-Davis tallied 11 points in the losing effort. Metecan Birsen (knee) and Yigit Hamza Mestoglu (shoulder) were sidelined along with Sehmus Hazer and Tarik Biberovic.
Back home for Fenerbahce
Sitting at 1-1 in Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi, Fener will be at home facing Bahcesehir Koleji on Sunday. Two more home contests in EuroLeague’s first two-game week of the season with Panathinaikos and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne visiting Ulker Sports And Event Hall on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
Valencia will be on the road against Rio Breogan on Sunday, before switching to the double-game week. Hosting Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on Wednesday and traveling to Istanbul for a clash with Anadolu Efes on Friday is the plan.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net