Credit: BasketNews/Begum Unal
Credit: BasketNews/Begum Unal
Credit: BasketNews/Begum Unal
Credit: BasketNews/Begum Unal
Credit: BasketNews/Begum Unal
FC Bayern Munich (4-6) prevailed Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (3-7) 71-63 (22-12, 13-18, 12-9, 24-24) in a close Turkish Airlines EuroLeague battle to redeem themselves after a tough last week's loss.
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The game was tied at 54 in the mid-fourth quarter, however, Bayern sprinted 12-5 and built a 7-point lead (66-59). Bayern were in front by 5 points (66-61) with 1:55 to go but could not organize a successful attack.
On the other side, Devin Booker cut the Fenerbahce's deficit to 3 points, converting two free throws (63-66). Nevertheless, Vladimir Lucic hit a crucial trey (69-63) with 1:04 to play and let his team breathe easier.
Bayern got a stop on the other end, however, Lucic turned the ball over, as 26 seconds were left on the clock. Marko Guduric lost control of the ball while Othello Hunter closed the game with a two-pointer (71-63). The German powerhouse defended their home court.
“First of all I have to congratulate Bayern, they played really tough," Sasa Djordjevic said. "In important moments of the game, they scored some really important baskets. Lucic had a really exceptional game. We didn’t find an easy way to the basket, they locked the basket for us and offensively we were not that good.”
Vladimir Lucic was the brightest player on the court, posting 22 points (4/6 2PT, 4/7 3PT, 2/2 FT), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 drawn fouls, and 28 PIR.
Corey Walden added 16 points (2/3 2PT, 2/3 3PT, 6/6 FT), 1 assist, 2 steals, 7 drawn fouls and 18 PIR.
Jan Vesely was a top performer for Fenerbahce, accumulating 12 points (3/5 2PT, 6/6 FT), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 8 drawn fouls, and 23 PIR.
Bayern started the match better and gained a double-digit advantage at the end of the first quarter, after Deshaun Thomas 4 points in a row (22-12).
However, Fenerbahce answered with an 8-2 spurt and reduced the gap to one shot before the break (30-33).
After the 15 minutes rest, at the start of the third quarter, Bayern made a 12-4 run and regained a double-digit advantage (47-34). Though, Fenerbahce did not raise a white flag and answered with a 12-0 push, and after Achille Polonara's dunk, the teams were separated by one point (46-47). An even game before the decisive 10 minutes.
Bayern: Vladimir Lucic 22 (7 REB), Corey Walden, Augustine Rubit 13.
Fenerbahce: Marko Guduric 16, Jan Vesely 12 (7 REB), Devin Booker 10 (6 REB).
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