By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Overcoming six three-pointers connected by Sasu Salin, Pinar Karsiyaka got in control down the stretch to beat Lenovo Tenerife, 88-80, Tuesday evening.
Bonzie Colson produced a team-high 19 points powered by 8/11 field goals in Game 2 of the Basketball Champions League Play-In best-of-three series. Amath M’Baye and James Blackmon Jr. followed with 17 points apiece. Tony Taylor banked in all of his 15 more points after the break.
Experienced big man Alex Tyus, despite posting a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double, ignited the key 8-0 run. After losing the two previous games at Karsiyaka Arena his side created a seven-point lead with 2:19 remaining and held on to level the series.
Semih Erden and Michael Roll remained on the injury list for the runner-up of the 2020-21 Champions League season, coached by Ufuk Sarica.
Finnish sharpshooter Salin ending up with a game-high 20 points was not enough for the team guided by Txus Vidorreta. Georgian center Giorgi Shermadini tallied a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double. Marcelo Huertas combined 15 points with eight assists. Kyle Wiltjer rounded up the double-digit scoring pack with 14 points at Izmir.
After 11 lead changes, the lasting BCL original and inaugural champion faltering down the stretch generated the first loss against a Turkish team in FIBA’s premier European club competition. Tenerife had prevailed in all eight previous encounters.
Coming up Thursday, the deciding Game 3 sending the winning side to Round of 16 Group L alongside Falco Szombathely, Rytas Vilnius, and SIG Strasbourg.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League