By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In a demanding situation for both sides, MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg kept things simple, especially in defense over the first three quarters, to prevail, 79-73, over U-BT Cluj-Napoca in BTarena Tuesday evening.
Jordan Hulls dropped a season-high 21 points behind 7/12 field goals as his side completed the field of the Basketball Champions League Final Four arranging a semifinal date with Baxi Manresa. The Catalonia outfit, Hapoel U-NET Holon, and Lenovo Tenerife all advanced last week. The season-ending tournament will take place in Bilbao, 6-8 May.
Jonah Radebaugh shaking off a rocky start added 15 more points alongside four rebounds, three steals, and three assists in the win-or-go-home Game 3 of the Quarterfinals’ best-of-three series. Tremmell Darden had five points until hurting his left foot midway through the second period and did not return. Teammates Tekele Cotton and Rawle Alkins were not available.
The Romania champions struggling to take care of the ball also missed 12 of their 26 free throw attempts. The Cluj-Napoca fans packing BTarena helped in reducing the deficit from 19 to four points but the visitors managed to hold on in crunch time. Justin Simon producing all of his 12 points after the break kept them at bay.
Ludwigsburg allowed only 23 points in the first half and 42 over the first three periods. The tremendous defensive showing delivered by John Patrick’s players forced 25 turnovers. Taking advantage and pouring 25 points at the opposite end was the main difference between the two sides at the conclusion of the exciting series.
It was certainly a brilliant run for the team guided by Mihai Silvasan from the early-season Qualifiers to the Quarterfinals but fell narrowly short of a berth in the Final Four. Patrick Richard logged a team-high 18 points, while Dustin Hogue made 7/7 field goals and put up 15 points but fouled out with four minutes remaining in his side’s last showing of the BCL season. Head coach Silvasan exited as well after a couple of technical fouls.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League