By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Galatasaray kept its winning streak against Barcelona and prevailed 78-64, improving to 3-6 in the standings. The Blaugranas dropped to 4-5.
In the beginning of the game, the two teams were closely monitoring each other and none could take a lead that would act as an initiative. After tight defense by both, the first quarter ended 17-16.
Galatasaray‘s Blake Schilb was the one to give his team a much needed push in the second period, even though Barcelona kept tying the score with Stratos Perperoglou and Joey Dorsey. Tyrese Rice hit a long distance shot for the visiting team and Galatasaray answered with 4 back to back points, making the score 39-35.
After the break, the hosts entered the floor more motivated and for the first time in the game they could actually expand to a safer lead. Vladimir Micov made it a 10-point game at 22′ with a 3-pointer, then Sinan Guler set the mood for showtime with 2 personal shots. After 30 minutes, the hosts had grabbed their biggest advantage with 61-48.
As the game progressed, things became tougher for Barcelona who couldn’t stop Schilb and Micov. Ante Tomic, the team’s qualitative solution in the paint, seemed rather out of place. Still, in the final period, Marcus Ericksson made it a 7-point game at 34’, yet Barcelona couldn’t entirely turn the tables in the end. With less than 3 minutes left, Jon Diebler sunk the visitors with another three, for 74-62.
For the winners, Guler and Schilb shared 18 points.
Full game stats here.