By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A thrilling match unfolded in the packed Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul as the rising Anadolu Efes hosted Monaco in Round 23 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
It all came down to the final seconds. Rodrigue Beaubois attempted a game-winner at the buzzer but missed, and Sasa Obradovic’s side secured their 13th win of the season with a final score of 78-80.
Elie Okobo played a pivotal role for the Roca Team, and even though he missed one of the two free throws in the dying moments, he previously scored some vital points from the line. The Frenchman concluded the match with 16 points, seven of which came in the final 10 minutes.
“Super tough win to get on the road, especially here. They are a really good team. The way we fought, all the guys that stepped on the court, it was really good. Great energy, and we gotta keep building on that,” Okobo said.
Contributing to the victory, Mike James also scored 16 points, and Jordan Loyd added 14. Alpha Diallo made a substantial impact, nearly achieving a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.
On the Anadolu Efes side, the almost-hero Rodrigue Beaubois led the scoring charts with 15 points. Shane Larkin contributed 14 points, with 10 of them coming in the fourth period. Derek Willis followed with 13 points, and Elijah Bryant also reached double digits with 12 points.
“Maybe the luckier team won”
When it seemed Anadolu Efes was in control midway through the third period, Monaco responded timely and took charge of the game just before the final 10 minutes. Elie Okobo, Mike James, Alpha Diallo, and Donatas Motiejunas then started building a lead for Obradovic’s side. However, Erdem Can’s team refused to give up in front of their fans. Shane Larkin finally found a rhythm, and with help from Derek Willis and Rodrigue Beaubois, they made it a one-possession game.
The French guard, Beaubois, hit a shot with seven seconds on the clock, initially seeming like a tying triple. However, referees checked the tape and overturned the initial decision, leaving Anadolu Efes one point behind the guests with 78-79 on the scoreboard. Okobo then made only his second free throw on the other side, and Anadolu Efes had a couple of seconds to try and win the game. Beaubois attempted again, but this time from a much more difficult position and missed, allowing Monaco to prevail. This result leaves the Turkish side with just nine wins after 23 rounds (9-14).
“Every game matters. I’m extremely happy, winning here for the first time ever. Building momentum was not easy, especially against a team that finds a certain rhythm. Both teams played great basketball. It was interesting in the end, and maybe the luckier team won,” Monaco’s head coach Obradovic said.
His colleague from Anadolu Efes’ bench, Erdem Can, was disappointed but is not giving up.
“Heartbreaking loss. The way we started the third quarter, throughout the third quarter, and towards the end of the second quarter, we gave away too many offensive rebounds and committed too many turnovers. We made so many rushed decisions, and that disrupted our offensive and defensive balance. Every game is the final game, and so is the next one. This doesn’t change anything,” Can stated.
Photo: euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague