It was a memorable EuroCup debut for Reyer guard Rodney McGruder
Reyer snaps three-game losing skid, leaves Hamburg winless after 80-68 win
Umana Reyer Venice snapped a three-game losing streak as it fought through for an 80-68 home victory over Veolia Towers Hamburg in Group B to keep the guests winless. Reyer opened a 23-point third-quarter lead but watched as Hamburg pulled back to within 9.
Rodney McGruder led the way with 28 points in his first EuroCup game for the 2-3 team while Aamir Simms scored 14 points and Amedeo Tessitori chipped in 10 points and 8 rebounds. Hamburg dropped to 0-5 despite Jaizec Lottie scoring 13 points.
Brae Ivey scored twice as Hamburg went ahead 3-6. McGruder started hot with 10 points already and a Mfiondu Kabengele three-point play put the hosts up 18-11. Hamburg went nearly 4 minutes without a basket and trailed 22-16 after 10 minutes.
Reyer opened the second quarter with the first 5 points as the lead reached double figures. Free throws by Davide Casarin made it 30-18. Hamburg managed to get within 9 points but watched Reyer surge away with a 10-4 run for a 44-29 cushion and it was 46-31 at the break.
Game Videos
McGruder continued his strong game with the first 6 points of the second half in Reyer’s 8-0 start to the third quarter for a 54-31 lead. Hamburg needed more than 2 minutes to finally get on the scoreboard and the margin was 57-33. Lottie and Patrick Heckmann both hit three-pointers in a 0-10 Hamburg run but still trailed 57-43. Reyer snapped a 4-minute scoreless drought with 5 points and led 62-48 after 30 minutes.
Camron Reece had 5 points in the early going of the final frame and Hamburg trimmed the gap to 63-53. Reyer punched back with the next 7 points to extend the advantage to 17 points. The visitors had one more push left with a 5-13 run to bring the deficit to 75-66 with under 4 minutes left - the first time it was in single digits since midway through the second quarter. McGruder stopped the momentum with a three-pointer and Hamburg did not get closer the rest of the way.