By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Before a three-week break due to international games and domestic cups, Tofas improved to 2-1 in Group I of the Basketball Champions League Round of 16.
All but leading from start to finish generated an 84-71 victory versus Cholet in Tofas Arena.
Injured in Round 19 of the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi Regular Season on Sunday, Marcus Denmon and Tolga Gecim were ruled out of the Gameday 3 contest.
Taking over for the team coached by Orhun Ene, Caleb Homesley poured in a game-high 22 points, including 6/10 triples. The Champions League leader in blocks Austin Wiley posted a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double plus two more rejections. J.J. O’Brien piled up 12 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block.
The team coached by Laurent Vila was forced down to 1-2. Standing out in the losing effort, Neal Sako paired 13 points with 17 rebounds. Emmanuel Nzekwesi (personal) did not follow the team to Turkiye.
Poor perimeter defense resulting in a league-high 12.3 three-pointers by opponents per game stretched to allowing 15/31 on Wednesday.
Postgame press conference
Returning to the BSL, the Bursa outfit welcomes Aliaga Petkimspor in Round 20 on Sunday. The current domestic tally is 8-11 and tied at the bottom end of the Playoffs zone. The continental campaign resumes in early March.
At 11-11 in France’s Betclic Elite, Cholet is heading to two straight games against fellow BCL participant SIG Strasbourg across Round 23 of the Regular Season and Coupe de France.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League