By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Coming back from a 15-point deficit, Tofas Bursa blew out Darussafaka, 91-81, Tuesday evening.
Berk Ugurlu scored 13 of his team-high 19 points in the fourth period to go along with six rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the all-Turkish Basketball Champions League Round of 16 Gameday 1 affair. His side went from the 15-point hole to an 18-point cushion en route to 1-0 in Group J, forcing Dacka to 0-1 in the process with Baxi Manresa and NutriBullet Treviso yet to tip-off their own runs in the four-team field.
Milwaukee-born Elgin Cook had 16 points until fouling out. Tallying eight points in the third period, he highlighted the turning point. Yigit Arslan generated 16 points as well. Pako Cruz closed out the double-digit scoring pack with 13 points powered by 3/3 three-pointers in just under 14 minutes.
Over the first five minutes, the visitors went up 21-6 but did not extend the dominating start at Tofas Nilufer Spor Salonu. Coming off four wins in a row in Turkey’s BSL, including Sunday’s 81-65 victory versus Darussafaka, the team guided Ahmet Caki took the lead late in the second quarter and set up the winning drive after the break.
British international Gabriel Olaseni poured a game-high 26 points but was limited to eight points in the second half and at the wrong end of the result. Dogus Ozdemiroglu finished with 18 points, seven assists, seven rebounds, and two steals for Selcuk Ernak’s side.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League