Frutti Extra Bursaspor reached the 7DAYS EuroCup Finals for the first time, downing host MoraBanc Andorra 68-85 in the semifinals. Rebounds had to do a lot with it.
Telling numbers: Bursaspor, Hayes rebounded their way to victory
Bursaspor out-rebounded Andorra by 34-38 on Tuesday, pulling down 30 defensive boards. Andorra was limited to just 9 offensive rebounds despite its low shooting percentages (45.2% 2FG, 33.3% 3FG). Bursaspor pulled down 76.9% of all rebounds under its own rim, which was one of the biggest keys to this game.
Visiting center Kevarrius Hayes stood out, grabbing as many as 12 defensive rebounds – a new EuroCup record for the semifinals or beyond. He finished the game with 16 total rebounds, which is the second-best mark ever in the semifinals, following Mario Austin's 17 for Hapoel Jerusalem against Dynamo Moscow on March 21, 2006.
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Bursaspor made many fewer mistakes than Andorra, which also played a decisive role on Tuesday. The guests finished the game with just 6 turnovers, a new season-best that matched the club's EuroCup record for fewest turnovers in a game. Bursaspor also kept turnovers to 6 against Promitheas Patras in Round 8 of the 2020-21 regular season.
Bursaspor was also much better when shooting free throws, draining 14 of 15 opportunities at the foul line (93.3%) while Andorra missed 8 times, finishing 13-for-21 (61.9%).
Indeed, head coach Dusan Alimpijevic's team shot the ball really well from all angles, burying 16 of 29 two-pointers (55.2% 2FG) and 13 of 32 three-pointers (40.6% 3FG) to register yet another historical road win.