By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Darussafaka prevailed over Fenerbahce 72-65 with immense help by Will Clyburn (20 points) and two a double-doubles by Ante Zizic (14 points & 10 rebounds) and Brad Wanamaker (12 points & 11 assists).
Fenerbahce grabbed a 10-point lead early on with Luigi Datome, 5-15, then David Blatt’s team reacted, though the ‘visitors’ still managed to stop their opponents with perfect defense and end the first quarter 10-20.
The game became tougher in the second when Darussafaka covered the deficit and even tied the game at 25 points for the first time (17′). With a buzzer-beater three-pointer, Wanamaker put his team up 34-31 at halftime.
In a what it looked like low-scoring game, both teams struggled to find an initiative in the third period, with the hosts keeping slight 3-point leads at times. After 30 minutes, the score was tied to 47 points.
Dairis Bertans helped his team expand to 5 points at 33′, 52-47, and that was the turning point for Darussafaka. Even though Fenerbahce stayed close, Blatt’s team had a better control of the game with Clyburn and Moerman executing clutch shots near the end. With 15 seconds remaining, Ekpe Udoh trimmed the deficit to 5 points, yet it was too late for his team to attempt a comeback.