By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Snapping a seven-game losing streak in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Anadolu Efes burst out versus Virtus Segafredo Bologna.
A lopsided win, 99-75, described a comfortable evening on Friday.
Bouncing back from Panathinaikos Aktor on Tuesday, the team coached by Erdem Can dominated all around the floor in Round 21.
Connecting 4/4 three-pointers, Darius Thompson ended up with 26 points, a new individual best in Europe’s premier club continental competition. Besides 10/12 field goals, the 28-year-old point guard threw in five steals, two assists, and two rebounds. “I felt good just getting the win. That was the most important thing,” he reacted.
Elijah Bryant matched his season-high 21 points behind 7/9 field goals. “We were able to get a win, coming out to fight hard and showing that we deserve this win after seven losses,” mentioned the Brigham Young University product, “I think in life you have a lot of obstacles and adversity. We were able to fight through it.”
From seven consecutive defeats to improving to 8-13, the defending champions in Turkiye are looking at even more home fixtures down the stretch of the double-legged round-robin schedule. This was only the ninth home showing of the 2023-24 Regular Season, specifically a sixth win after two straight losses in Sinan Erdem Dome.
“We knew that we were better than that. In some of the last few games, small details decided the winner,” noted head coach Can, “It is just one game. But I hope this one game can build our confidence.”
Shane Larkin narrowly extending his double-digit scoring streak to 15 games with 11 points did not cause any harm. Recovering from a shoulder injury stemming from the quadruple overtime loss to Real Madrid, Tyrique Jones posted a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double. Erten Gazi, Will Clyburn (foot), Dogus Ozdemiroglu (knee), Justus Hollatz, and Erkan Yilmaz (clavicle surgery) were all sidelined. Also, Mike Daum and Burak Can Yildizli did not play.
Back to Istanbul as a visitor for the first time, Bryant Dunston went for four points over 24 minutes. He spent the previous eight years with Efes.
Returning to action after missing just over one month, Jordan Mickey logged 12 points. Gabriel Iffe Lundberg tallied all of his team-high 14 points in the fourth period, beyond contention for a win. After switching between the sides a couple of weeks ago, Ante Zizic was dealing with an illness, limited to two points and eight minutes of playing time.
Ognjen Dobric (ankle) and Devontae Cacok (knee) remained out for the team coached by Luca Banchi. Falling to 16-7 with a second consecutive misstep in the two-game week was combined with a sixth defeat in eleven road challenges, including falling to Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
“We feel bad by the way we performed,” confessed Banchi, “We lacked the proper level of energy to compete with them.”
A disappointing team performance for Vu Nere saw Marco Belinelli and Daniel Hackett without a three-pointer after 18 and 9 straight games, respectively. Tornike Shengelia was held to a performance index rating of two after going into double-digits over the five previous outings.
Barcelona and ASVEL follow
The team based in Istanbul will be on the road against Onvo Buyukcekmece, eager to add to the league-high 13-2 in the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi on Sunday. From there to a key EuroLeague contest versus FC Barcelona at home on Thursday.
The Italian club hosts LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on Thursday, after a domestic home game against Happy Casa Brindisi on Monday. Banchi’s side is 10-5 in Italy’s LBA UnipolSai.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net