Bursaspor ends losing streak, downs Brescia 86-76
Frutti Extra Bursaspor defeated Germani Brescia 86-76 at Tofas Spor Salonu on Tuesday to put an end to its three-game losing streak. The hosts dominated in the second and third quarter to secure a double-digit lead that they guarded until the end. Bursaspor improved to 8-10 and it is now tied with Brescia, who holds the H2H advantage after winning 110-74 at home in December. Both teams have secured a play-off spot and they will wait for the result of Wednesday’s duel between Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse to find out their respective eighthfinals opponents.
Onuralp Bitim paced Bursaspor with 24 points, while Derek Needham finished with 18 on 5-for-8 three-point shooting. Dave Dudzinski recorded a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, with Anthony Clemmons adding 17 points. C. J. Massinburg led the losing team with 25 points off the bench in less than 19 minutes. John Petrucelli added 15, Tommaso Laquintana had 13 and Tai Odiase scored 12.
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Odiase scored all his team’s points, including an alley-oop dunk to open the game, as Brescia led 4-6. Bursaspor got back on top 15-11 Bitim nailed a three-pointer and 2 free throws. Nonetheless, Brescia made the most of Bitim's 2 turnovers and Laquintana beat the first-quarter buzzer for a 16-19 lead for the visitors. Dudzinski's 5 points in a row restored a 21-20 Bursaspor lead. The hosts held Brescia to just 7 points over 7 minutes to stretch the advantage to 38-28 after Clemmons and Omer Utku Al connected from behind the arc.
Bitim and Needham netted a three each after the break, while Brescia's scoring slump continued. After a timeout, the guests started to come into life, with Massinburg and Petrucelli filling an 8-0 run to cut the difference to 57-44. However, Bursaspor maintained a solid 68-54 cushion heading into the last quarter after scoring 28 points in third to set the basis for the victory.
Needham sank back-to-back triples in the opening stages of the fourth quarter, with Bursaspor being very much in control of the game. Whenever Brescia tried to bounce back and go on a run, the hosts found a way to end the visitors’ momentum and secure their sixth home win of the season.