By Eurohoops team/info@eurohoops.net
An 11-2 run at the end of the third quarter let Anadolu Efes beat Limoges 92-74 at home to claim a much-needed victory. This was the third win for the hosts in group B (3-3), who ended a three-game losing streak, whereas the visitors suffered their fourth loss (2-4).
For the winners, Derrick Brown scored 21 points, as four more players were in double digits, with Bryant Dunston making an impressive performance (12 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists). On the other hand, Yakhouba Diawara had 17 points for the losing squad, with three more players being in double digits as well.
In the beginning, Anadolu Efes had control of the game and executed well offensively, but Limoges were managing to remain as close as they could. Consequently, the first quarter ended with the Turks in front by five points (25-20). Later, the French cut the deficit to just two (31-29), but Dusan Ivkovic’s players responded immediately. They played very well on both ends of the floor, made an impressive 20-6 run and closed the first half with a 16-point lead (51-35).
In the second half, Limoges made a great start. With a 20-8 run of their own, they made a big come-back and were down by four, with four minutes to go in the third quarter (59-55). But, Anadolu Efes enhanced their performance and brought their advantage back to double digits (70-57), after 30 minutes in the game, with an 11-2 run. In the last quarter, nothing changed significantly, with the Turks retaining a double-digit advantage (82-67, 84-72), as the French were unable to make another come-back. As a result, Anadolu Efes claimed a much-needed victory in their effort to qualify to the next round, whereas Limoges need to fight more to avoid elimination.