By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In Dusan Ivkovic’s 72nd birthday, Cedevita made an extraordinary performance in Istanbul and beat Anadolu Efes 75-81 to claim a big victory. This was the first win for the Croatians in Group B, who played with just 10 players, while the Turks suffered their first defeat.
A 15-2 in the fourth quarter was the key in the game, as it gave Cedevita a five-point lead (69-74) with two minutes to go and, consequently the victory. For the winners, Miro Bilan was the top scorer with 20 points and 10 rebounds (double-double), while Jacob Pulen was tremendous as well with 18 points. For the Turkish team, John Diebler had 15 points, while three more players were in double digits.
In the first half, no team could take a significant advantage, but Anadolu Efes was keeping the lead with ease. However, Cedevita remained competitive in the first twenty minutes and ended the half with just a five-point deficit (41-36).
In the second half, Cedevita cut the deficit to just one point (50-49), but the Turks retained the lead (58-51), with consecutive points from Derrick Brown and the third quarter ended with Dusan Ivkovic’s team in front by four (58-54). The Croatians tied the game in the beginning of the last quarter (59-59) but Jon Diebler was on fire (15 points on 5/6 from the three-point range) and gave his team an eight-point advantage (67-59) with six straight points.
Cedevita, though, fought back again and with an 15-2 run of their own, they regained the lead (69-74). The match continued to be a derby, but Cedevita made some crucial field goals (72-79) and earned a great victory.