By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Returning the favor on the opposite end of the short trip, Telekom Baskets Bonn dominated in the middle quarters to take down SIG Strasbourg, 76-66, Tuesday.
Connecting 5/6 from beyond the arc, Chilean forward Sebastian Herrera set his best scoring performance for the 2022-23 season at 19 points. A long-range threat fueling the team’s total of 11/29 three-pointers, the biggest prize of successful adjustments from Game 1 to Game 2 of the Basketball Champions League Quarterfinals.
In double-double mode, Michael Kessens set two season-highs with 16 points and ten rebounds to go with a career-high five assists for a game-high efficiency rating of 26. Javontae Hawkins tallied 13 of his 15 points in the third quarter as the lead peaked at 21 points.
In a frustrating showing, T.J. Shorts was limited to 3/14 from the field and also committed six turnovers, but contributed ten points, five rebounds, and four assists for the win in Rhenus Sport. Injured teammates Finn Delany and Jeremy Morgan were not available.
Tuomas Iisalo’s side remaining undefeated on the road throughout the BCL season forced the best-of-three series to maximum length with Game 3 to be held in Telekom Dome next Tuesday. From Bonn to Strasbourg and back to Bonn with 334km separating the opponents, apart from the Germany-France border.
A comeback bid falling short, Strasbourg reduced the deficit to eight points late in the fourth period. Game 1 hero Marcus Keene ended up with a game-high 20 points in the losing effort. Matt Mitchell and Jean-Baptiste Maille both remained sidelined for the team coached by Luca Banchi.
Postgame press conference
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League