Reyer had not enjoyed a good start at home in the EuroCup for years. That changed with a rock-solid performance in Round 1
Team effort gave Reyer elusive first home win
After losing its home opener in each of the last three seasons, Umana Reyer Venice was able to start off on the right foot this time around, downing Aris Midea Thessaloniki 95-75 at Palasport Taliercio in Round 1.
It took a team effort and a game-deciding run in the third quarter to get the victory. Reyer finished the game with seven players scoring in double digits. Jordan Parks led all scorers with 17. Tyler Ennis amassed 12, 6 rebounds and 8 assists, making sure everybody was involved on his Reyer debut.
"We wanted to come out and set the tone of the year in our first home game," Ennis said after the game. "I have a lot of talent around me as a point guard, playmaker. I want to get them involved and mixing scoring as well. I think tonight we did a good job of playing defense when it mattered and running."
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Reyer built a double-digit lead early and only trailed after the opening basket, a three-pointer by Landers Nolley. Aris fought back and tied the game, 39-39, late in the first half. After another Reyer push, the guests managed to get within 47-46 on another triple by Nolley. Then, the hosts started to showcase their depth and potential.
As many as five different Reyer players scored in a 16-0 run that sealed the outcome. Parks beat the shot clock with a corner three-pointer that got the run started. Ennis, Amedeo Tessitori and Xavier Munford contributed to that 16-0 run, highlighted by Aamir Simms's two-handed dunk. Reyer boosted its margin to 63-46 and kept full control of the game until the final buzzer.
Reyer showed great aggressiveness, too. It broke two club records by drawing 30 fouls and taking 27 free-throw attempts. The hosts outrebounded Aris 41-27, pulling down 17 offensive boards. It had 25 assists against just 11 turnovers, while its opponent had more turnovers (17) than steals (14).
"We played good basketball," Reyer head coach Neven Spahija commented. "We had probably [took] too many threes in the first 20 minutes. After that, we solved the problem and continue to play our way to win the game. I am so happy for the team. Congrats to everyone, also to our fans. Hope we can continue to build from here."
Reyer faces a tough stretch now as it visits Ljubljana to face Cedevita Olimpija next week before hosting last season's finalist Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse in Round 3 and visiting Valencia Basket in Round 4. Wednesday night's first win should give the team plenty of confidence going forward.