By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
After winning the 2021-22 FIBA Europe Cup, Bahcesehir College started its adventure in the Basketball Champions League with a hard-fought victory. Against a tough opponent like Bosnian champs Igokea, the hosts won 70-67.
Without Jaza Blazic, who won’t play for at least three months because of a back injury, Bahcesehir got a lot from newcomer Jerry Boutsiele, who ended with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, and on fan-favorite Jamar Smith, who scored 17 points shooting 4/10 from three-point range and making the winning shot with 28 seconds left in the game.
Former Bakken Bears player De’Shawn Stephens put up 12 points and 6 rebounds. At the same time, 2017-18 Basketball Champions League Second Best Team member Kendrick Ray had a disappointing night, scoring only 8 points with 2/10 from the field. This is his fourth different team in the BCL, after ERA Nymburk, Le Mans, and AEK; He had never lost a game as a starter in the competition.
Despite losing the ball 15 times and being behind their opponents both capturing rebounds (31 vs 34) and serving assists (14 vs 16), coach Erhan Ernak’s managed to get away with a win in front of a great Ülker Sports and Event Hall crowd.
Bahcesehir, the 10th different Turkish team competing in BCL history, joins Surne Bilbao on top of Group D. Igokea remains winless, just like ERA Nymburk. Yesterday, the Czech team lost 54-68 against the Spanish side.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League