By Stefan Djordjevic / sdjordjevic@eurohoops.net
Pinar Karsiyaka needed to win by five points or more against Happy Casa Brindisi at home in order to advance and Tony Taylor and Raymar Morgan made sure that happened, pacing their team to a 107-88 win.
Taylor scored game-high 30 points on 8-13 shooting and dished seven assists while Morgan followed with 20 including a few crucial baskets. DJ Kennedy logged 21 points and ten rebounds.
For Brindisi, Josh Bostic put on another great display with 28 points in addition to Derek Willis’s 12 and Alessandro Zanelli’s 11 points.
Karisyaka led by as much as 18 points in the third quarter (79-61) thanks to Taylor’s big performance but the Italians, led by Bostic, found a way to cut the gap to just six points (85-79). However, Raymar Morgan stepped up with five straight points which sparked the hosts’ run which secured the win and a Final Eight ticket.
Karsiyaka finished the Round of 16 with a 3-3 record as did Brindisi while Hapoel Holon stayed at the top of Group I despite the loss to Tofas.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League