By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Extra time was needed, but Crvena Zvezda dominated the overtime for an 88-82 win over Monaco.
Filip Petrusev had a career-high with 29 points, Isaiah Canaan added 20 making key plays down the stretch and Joel Bolomboy added 15 points.
The Serbs send a message about their might, especially at home.
As coach Giannis Sfaropoulos said: “It was a difficult game, a derby and I congratulated the players in the locker rooms because they showed character. This game needed character and they showed it”.
Donatas Motiejunas and Jaron Blossomgame with 16 points each were the top scorers of Monaco,
Mike James added 14 points and seven assists but missed the chance to win the game at the buzzer.
Monaco dropped to a 13-9 record, tied with Crvena Zvezda, Barcelona, and Panathinaikos for fourth place.
A thrilling night at Belgrade
Monaco opened up the game leading 21-13 after the first period (21-13), however, Zvezda turned up the notch in the defense and closed the first half leading by two (36-34).
Monaco scored just 13 points in the second quarter and on the other side, Filip Petrusev also scored 13 points in the first half.
With Zvezda controlling the tempo, the hosts led by 10 (46-36) starting the second half with a 10-2 run.
Monaco answered with their own 11-3 run to make it a two-point game (49-47) with Domantas Motiejunas taking over.
The dogfight continued with Monaco leading by one (60-59) at the end of the third and Zvezda leading 69-68 with six minutes left in the game.
Entering the last minute, the score was tied at 74, and with 37 seconds left, Mike James made a big shot (76-74).
Isaiah Canaan tied the score again (76-76) with 24 seconds on the clock and James missed the chance to win the game at the buzzer.
The extra time started with Canaan scoring a three (79-76) and this early distance proved to be enough until the end.
Photo credit: EuroLeague