By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes bounced back in style, getting the 101-90 win over Bayern Munich and a 7-6 record, while the Germans dropped to 8-5.
Darius Thompson with 19 points, six assists, and no turnovers stole the show, while Dan Oturu added 14 points, Ercan Osmani and Jordan Nwora (photo) had 13 and Elijah Bryant added 10.
“It was a great win, everyone who came in competed, so I am happy for the team”, said Thompson after the final buzzer.
Devin Booker with a career-high 27 points and eight rebounds was not enough for the guests.
“The reaction on the third quarter was good, but at the start of the fourth we gave some easy baskets, made turnovers and we never really recovered”, Bayern coach Gordon Herbert added
Carsen Edwards scored 20 points and Nick Weiler-Babb added 17.
Efes holding on until the end
Efes had a stellar start in the game, leading initially 18-10, then 27-22 at the end of the first period, and stretching the lead to 14 points (52-36) with 2,32 minutes left in the first half after five straight points by Rolands Smits.
However, Bayern reacted swiftly and closed the second period with a 12-4 run (56-48) to make it an eight-point game with Booker already scoring 19 points.
The hosts remained in the driver’s seat and led again by double digits (62-50) but at the end of the third quarter with Edwards scoring two free throws, Bayern was down just by one point (74-73).
Still, Bayern couldn’t get the lead and Efes managed to keep their distance.
To be exact, Shabazz Napier made it a four-point game (90-86) with 3,42 minutes left, only for Efes to respond with two threes, one by Thompson and one by always dependable on clutch situation Rodrique Beaubois (96-88), while Booker had made two free throws in between.
Bryant made it a 10-point game (98-88) and Bayern couldn’t get close again.
Photo credit: EuroLeague