Real Madrid (4-1) secured a tough victory, taking down Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2-3) at home 70-69 (10-15, 25-26, 15-11, 20-17).
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
15
|
| Fabien Causeur | |
| Points | 16 |
| Accuracy | 6-9 |
| Rebounds | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
Thomas Heurtel and Nando de Colo traded free throws, and Fabian Causeur cut Real's lead to one (68-69) with 31 seconds to go.
Pierria Henry had a chance to seal the game for Fenerbahce with a 3-pointer, but his shot was off, and Devin Booker fouled Vincent Poirier, who made both shots at the charity stripe to bring Real up by one (70-69).
Fenerbahce had a chance to win it, but Marial Shayok's three was off the mark, and Real survived with a one-point victory.
Causer was the hero for Real, making timely buckets and leading his team with 16 points (2/2 2PT, 4/7 3PT), 1 turnover, and 15 PIR.
"It felt that Fenerbahce had the rhythm of the game in the first half," Causer said post-game. "Our defense was pretty solid but we were taking bad shots and they were running on offense. The second half was much better. I think we took the rhythm of the game and found the way to get the win."
Nando de Colo was great for Fenerbahce, ending with 11 points (4/6 2PT, 0/3 3PT, 3/3 FT), 6 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers, and 18 PIR.
Both teams struggled on offense in the first period, with Real only making 4 of 13 from the field and Fenerbahce converting 6 of 17. The visitors lead by five after one (15-10).
However, both squads started firing in the second. The visitors extended their advantage to double digits after Jan Vesely's points (30-20), but Causeur closed the half with a last-second 3-pointer to cut Real's deficit to six (35-41).
Henry gave Fenerbahce a nine-point advantage at the start of the second half (46-37), but Real never let their rivals gain a double-digit lead. Another deep bomb by Causer to finish the period brought the Royal Club within two (50-52).
Rudy Fernandez's 3-pointer helped Real regain its first lead since the first period (61-60), but Fenerbahce answered, as five straight points by Jan Vesley and Pierria Henry gave the Turkish club a three-point lead with 1:48 remaining.
Walter Tavares didn't play tonight because his wife is expecting a child any time now. Sergio Llull, Trey Thompkins, and Anthony Randolph were also out.
Real: Fabian Causeur 16, Thomas Heurtel 10, Carlos Alocen 8 , Alberto Abalde 7, Adam Hanga 6, Vincent Poirier 5 (17 REB).
Fenerbahce: Nando de Colo 11, Jan Vesely 10, Pierria Henry 9, Achille Polonara 9 (5 REB), Melih Mahmutoglu 7.
Highlights
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