By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In the battle of the two highest scoring teams in the Basketball Champions League EWE Baskets Oldenburg prevailed over Pinar Karsiyaka on the road 86-85.
The second half performance pushed Germans to the victory as they were trailing after the first 20 minutes 47-41. Karsiyaka was able to to take a minimal lead (85-84) with 37 seconds left on the clock, but Frantz Massenat sealed the deal for Oldenburg with a layup as Berk Ugurlu missed the game-winning shot in the last seconds.
The Key: After allowing Karsiyaka to score 21 and 26 points in the first two quarters respectively, Oldenburg was able to slow down the hosts in the third quarter. They won that period 28-17 to head into the last quarter with a 5 points lead (69-64).
Despite Dominic Waters feeling the heat early in the game and scoring 10 points in the first quarter, it was Oldenburg with a lead after that period 23-21.
After trailing in the first quarter the hosts didn’t allow Germans to extend their lead in the second quarter. They stepped up in defense as their offense was working smoothly, winning the second period 26-18. However, they weren’t able to preserve that pace when the game was on the line and ultimately lost the match.
The Star: The 35-year-old Ricky Paulding was dominating the floor tonight, scoring 24 points and grabbing 6 rebounds followed by Massenat’s 18 points.
Not enough: Waters finished the game with 23 points and 5 assists, but that didn’t cut it.
With this Oldenburg improved to a 7-3 record while Karsiyaka falls to a 6-4.
Photo credit: FIBA