Besiktas relied on trio of stars in playoff-clinching win
Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul needed overtime to beat Veolia Towers Hamburg 83-94 on the road and qualify to the BKT EuroCup Playoffs. It needed a monster performance from its centers, and an undeniable go-to guy in overtime.
Big men Angel Delgado and Kerem Konan carried Besiktas throughout the game. Delgado needed just 16 minutes to record a double-double, with 11 points and 10 rebounds until that moment. He finished the game with 17 points and a club record 17 rebounds, which was also the most boards by any player in a game this season. He helped Besiktas outrebound Hamburg 40-50. Those 50 boards are also a season high: Paris Basketball, U-BT Cluj-Napoca and Prometey Slobozhanske each grabbed 49 at some point this season.
"I am a tough guy and that is what I always put on my mind. They played with a lot of energy and fought a lot and that's what I like. Games like this, I love them," Delgado said after the game. "Jonah [Mathews] did an unbelievable job and our coaches, too. I give them a lot of credit."
Delgado mentioned Jonah Mathews, who made the difference in overtime. He started overtime with great energy and aggressiveness, attacking the rim three times to get as many baskets. Mathews added a three-pointer that sealed the outcome and found Delgado for a three-point play which allowed hundreds of Besiktas fans in the stand to start celebrating. Mathews had 9 of his 22 points in overtime.
Kerem Konan played over 16 minutes for the first time this season and did a little bit of everything, including a huge dunk in traffic. He finished the game with career-highs of 14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 fouls drawn and a PIR of 20. He also made the first three-point shot of his EuroCup career. At age 19, Konan proved to be a prospect to keep an eye on.
Thanks to their efforts, Besiktas grabbed its ninth win in Group A, which guaranteed Coach Dusan Alimpijevic's team a shot to keep fighting for EuroCup glory after the regular season.