By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A crazy game with big runs resulted in Bosnia-Herzegovina outlasting France, 96-90, in double-overtime Saturday.
Jusuf Nurkic was brilliant until a late turnover allowed fellow NBA player Evan Fournier to tie the contest, 76-76, and force overtime. The Portland Trail Blazers center fouled out with 21 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block to his name late in the first extra period. But his teammates salvaging the win improved the 2023 FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers Group K W-L tally to 4-4.
Along with the loud support of the Skenderija crowd, naturalized point guard John Roberson took over pouring seven of his 18 points in the ten extra minutes. Real Madrid’s Dzanan Musa chipped in 17 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals in a 40-minute showing.
France came back from an 18-point deficit and did it again digging its way out of a double-digit hole in the fourth quarter, but was eventually forced down to 6-2. Mastering multiple end-game situations, Fournier build his way up to 24 points. Rudy Gobert forced the second extra period but later fouled out packing a ten-point, 14-rebound double-double. Oklahoma City Thunder’s Theo Maledon sitting out the contest might mean he will be missing out on the opportunity to play in the approaching 2022 EuroBasket.
Fontecchio saves Italy
Lacking similar extensive runs such in Mirza Delibasic Hall, Italy escaped Georgia’s upset bid grabbing the win, 91-84. Simone Fontecchio dropped a game-high 21 points, including the go-ahead three-point with 1:25 remaining in the fourth quarter. The summer signing of the Utah Jazz made 5/11 from the field, and also tallied eight rebounds, six assists, and one steal.
Despite suffering a left knee injury early in the last quarter, Danilo Gallinari followed with 17 points behind 6/7 field goals in Brescia’s PalaLeonessa. The Boston Celtics newcomer did not return. He will be reevaluated within the next hours, the Italian Basketball Federation announced following the game. Nevertheless, Gianmarco Pozzecco’s side went up to 5-1 in Group L.
For Georgia, Indiana Pacers’ Goga Bitadze stood out with 19 points, 13 rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and one assist in 30 minutes. Sandro Mamukelashvili of the Milwaukee Bucks fouled out with eight points. Fresh off the serious injury of captain Toko Shengelia, the team coached by Ilias Zouros fell to 3-3.
Iceland tops Ukraine
Both sides dropped double-digit leads at Ithrottamidstod Asvellir before Iceland defeated Ukraine, 91-88, in overtime.
Rytas new point guard Elvar Mar Frioriksson knocked in a game-high 27 points as his side went up to 4-2 in Group L. Falling to 1-5, the visitors featured Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk of the Toronto Raptors at 19 points, while Alex Len of the Sacramento Kings was held to four points and 11 minutes of action.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL