By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With the help of their supporters, Crvena Zvezda rolled over Barcelona and got the 90-82 win in Belgrade.
Led by their loud crowd Zvezda started the game better as they had 15-10 lead after 5 minutes of action.
Good defense was allowing Zvezda to get easy points in transition as they finished the first quarter leading by 11 points (24-13).
Coach Sito Alonso wanted to slow down Zvezda but it was all about Zvezda in the first half. The home team had a 12 points lead (44-32) at the halftime break thanks to Taylor Rochestie who nailed 12 points in that period.
After the break, Thomas Heurtel brought the much-needed energy to the Spanish team. The French guard scored 9 points in the third quarter as Barca cut the lead to just 5 points difference 62-57.
The visiting team was breathing down the neck to the hosts in last quarter as they were just one point down with Heurtel’s triple (77-76). However Zvezda found the way to prevail.
The Key: It was defense during the last 90 seconds which brought victory to Serbians as Barcelona was scoreless in that period of the time.
The Star: Milko Bjelica, the home team’s veteran, was unstoppable inside the paint as well as from the outside. He finished the game with 21 points. His partner in crime was Taylor Rochestie with 22 points and 7 assists! For the Spaniards, Kevin Seraphin’s 16 points went to the waste.
The History: Tonight’s game was the special one as Barcelona played his 400th Euroleague match. After tonight’s game, both teams have a 1-1 record.