By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A first win in the Basketball Champions League for Legia Warszawa. Ray McCallum Jr. and Devyn Marble were in control for the 71-66 victory over Filou Oostende Tuesday.
The former NBA players combined for 34 points in COREtec Dome. McCallum Jr. scored 17 of his 18 points over the first 30 minutes. Marble dropped six of his 16 in the final quarter of the Regular Season Gameday 4 contest. Also carrying NBA experience from, Travis Leslie went for nine points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Dallas-born Geoffrey Groselle chipped in ten more points.
The team coached by Wojciech Kaminski never trailed entering the fourth quarter in the top half of the double-legged round-robin schedule but was down to 0-3 in Group C. Clear of another late collapse, it jumped to 1-3. Leading for over 39 minutes in Oostend, the advantage was reduced from 14 to five points but no further.
McCallum Jr., 31, was the lone double-digit scorer in the 0-3 start. The explosive point guard kept the streak of at least 15 points and three three-pointers alive and got the necessary help for Legia to boost hopes of extending the debut Champions League run past the Regular Season.
The lasting BCL original, reigning Belgium champion since 2012, dropped three straight home games for the first time through the ventures in FIBA’s top-tier club continental competition. Dario Gjergja’s side fell to 1-3 in the group but retained the tiebreaker advantage behind the win, 68-59, in Poland.
Tre’Shawn Thurman banked in 20 points, including 12 after the break, but was not enough for the hosts. Belgian center Haris Bratanovic followed with 12 points. Captain Dusan Djordjevic (foot) and Vrenz Buysschaert (knee) were both sidelined.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League