By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The focus for Pinar Karsiyaka quickly switched from simply winning to the tiebreaker advantage. The task was completed at the buzzer.
The team guided by Ufuk Sarica banking in an 87-72 victory versus SIG Strasbourg tied the 15-point deficit in the previous meeting with the French club in Group E of the Basketball Champions League Regular Season.
The top performer of the Gameday 4 contest and October MVP, Vernon Carey Jr. created the final opportunity with his second block of the night. Turning defense into offense, he set up Kelan Martin for the buzzer-beating three-pointer.
The 22-year-old forward/center also packed 19 points and eight rebounds in a game-high efficiency rating of 27. Sinking his fourth triple at the buzzer, Martin finished with 15 points. Vitto Brown had 16 points. Errick McCollum added 15 more points in completing an undefeated run across all three games in Karsiyaka Arena through the Regular Season.
Massimo Cancellieri’s side trailed from start to finish but recovered from a 21-point hole to a favorable distance in the fourth quarter. Both sides are now 3-1 with the top tiebreaking criteria removed from the race to the Round of 16.
Phil Booth tallying 20 points, six assists, three rebounds, and one steal was not enough in Izmir. Besides Nakye Sanders, Leo Cavaliere, and Sofiane Briki stuck to the injury list, Chaundee Brown was forced to an early exit due to an injury late in the third quarter.
Postgame press conference
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League