By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
From seemingly securing the win by building an 11-point advantage with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter, Galatasaray Ekmas required a game-winning bucket by David McCormack to defeat Bertram Derthona Tortona.
The Lions escaped with a 71-70 victory from PalaFerraris, shaping a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series on Wednesday.
The Kansas product posted a league-high third double-double in the 2023-24 edition of the Basketball Champions League, besides saving the day. His efforts culminated with 16 points behind 5/10 field goals and 12 rebounds, including five offensive boards.
Trailing by 11 points, the team coached by Walter De Raffaele went on a 13-1 run to regain control with 17 seconds on the clock. Even after the 13th lead change delivered by McCormack, another opportunity surfaced but Tommaso Baldasso misfired at the buzzer.
Klemen Prepelic registered a game-high 23 points for the team coached by Zvezdan Mitrovic. A fourth straight win across all competitions did not feature Jarell Martin and Ismet Akpinar, while Samet Geyik, Bugrahan Tuncer, and Efe Vatan did not leave the bench.
Winning all three home games through the Regular Season earned homecourt advantage in the Play-Ins and fell narrowly shy of a direct ticket to the Round of 16. However, the Italian club will be facing elimination in Istanbul.
Baldasso had 16 points. Kyle Weems and Luca Severini followed with 11 points each. Chris Dowe (left leg) and Riccardo Tavernelli (knee) were sidelined.
Postgame press conference
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League