By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After squandering a 16-point advantage, Darussafaka survived Baxi Manresa clutching the big win, 89-84, Wednesday evening.
Toledo alumnus Nathan Boothe posted a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double. Cincinnati product Troy Caupain and Puerto Rican Isaiah Pineiro followed with 20 points each. Three players scored 70% of the total team points in the crazy Basketball Champions League Round of 16 Gameday 5 matchup.
Backed by the crowd support of the Darussafaka Ayhan Sahenk Spor Salonu and with Ismael Bako (hand) sidelined by the Catalonian team, the Turkish outfit dominating inside went a long way to end up staying alive in Group J. Besides outrebounding Manresa, 41-29, making 40 versus 24 points in the paint was key as well.
Instead of getting eliminated, Selcuk Ernak’s side secured the fourth straight BCL win at home and matched Manresa at 3-2. Down 16 points in the first half, the visitors went up 84-80 but were on the receiving end of the game-ending 9-0 run.
Former UC Davis standout Chima Moneke with a game-high 26 points was the driving force for the team guided by Pedro Martinez. He neared his career-high of 32 points set earlier in his breakout 2021-22 campaign. Nor Sylvain Francisco producing nine of his 17 points in the fourth quarter was enough.
Next week
It all comes down to the Gameday 6 affairs scheduled to be held on March 22. Dacka visiting eliminated NutriBullet Treviso and Manresa hosting Tofas will determine the two teams advancing to the Quarterfinals.
The Turkish outlets prevailing would send both to the next round. However, Manresa and Tofas will go through in nearly any other case. If the Spanish team beats the Bursa club by a margin greater than 35 points, then Darussafaka would squeeze in over Tofas.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League