By Stefan Djordjevic/ info@eurohoops.net
Although Dinamo Sassari put on a strong start, San Pablo Burgos fairly quickly bounced back and eventually got a convincing 95-80 home win in a game that was played behind closed doors.
The Spaniards swept the best-of-three series and advanced to the Basketball Champions League quarterfinals where they will face Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem or Peristeri winmasters.
Earl Clark banked 22 points on 10-15 shooting while Jasiel Rivero and Ferran Bassas added 17 each. Bassas also grabbed 15 boards.
Vitor Benite helped with 15 points while for Sassari, Marc Spissu’s 24 points weren’t enough to change the outcome. Dwayne Evans and Dwight Coleby scored 11 each.
Sassari had a 30-13 lead early on thanks to Marco Spissu and Dwayne Evans who combined for 28 points in the first half but Earl Clark and Jasiel Rivero sparked Burgos‘ comeback and they were the ones up 45-43 at the break.
Rivero almost notched a double-double by halftime (10 points, 8 boards) and rebounding was a big part of Burgos’ advantage in this game. They grabbed 40 compared to Sassari’s 22 rebounds and had a much bigger impact in the paint offensively.
Clark continued leading the charge together with Rivero but Benite and Bassas joined in as the Spanish squad took over completely in the third quarter and found themselves ahead by a 13-point margin (74-61).
They kept the distance throughout the final ten minutes and secured the win, not allowing Sassari to cut the gap past 11 points (87-76).
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League