By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Punching in a ticket to the Basketball Champions League Quarterfinals for the third time in team history, MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg prevailed, 64-58, against Galatasaray Nef in Sinan Erdem Arena Wednesday night.
Justin Simon posted an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double along with five steals and two assists in a brilliant showing. The guard coming out of Arizona and St. John’s scored 12 of his points in the second quarter of the Round of 16 Gameday 6 contest.
After trailing for most of the three quarters, the visitors led through the last ten minutes to earn the win. Tekele Cotton banked in six out of his eight points in the fourth quarter. Defensive ace Yorman Polas Bartolo logged a total 11 points in the low-scoring affair. Ethan Happ and Rawle Alkins were sidelined.
Returning to the BCL after a two-year hiatus, his side moving up to 4-2 secured the second seed of Group I with the seventh win in the last eight games across all competitions. Therefore, John Patrick’s side will be unseeded in Friday’s Quarterfinal draw.
In his debut at the Turkish club, Andreas Pistiolis witnessed DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell exiting midway through the first quarter with the Lions up 11-3. The Illinois State alumnus tore his Achilles and will miss the rest of the season, as reported by Semih Tuna.
The Istanbul outfit was already out of contention wrapping up the Round of 16 at 1-5. Melo Trimble and Maurice Ndour were ruled out of the last game. Kerry Blackshear Jr. posted a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double in the losing effort.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League