The sweet-shooting forward stepped up every time his team needed him
Tyler Cavanaugh played key role in Bahcesehir's overtime win
It took 45 minutes of basketball action before Bahcesehir College Istanbul was able to beat Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 95-93 in Round 14 and it could not have done so without some clutch play from Tyler Cavanaugh.
Buducnost led for the better part of the second half and held a 68-70 margin midway through the fourth quarter. In need of a go-to guy, Cavanaugh stepped up, hitting a pair of three-pointers and a technical free throw in a 9-0 run that seemed to put Bahcesehir on the right track to win the game.
Far from done, Buducnost fought back and forced overtime in spectacular fashion, on a buzzer-beating jumper by Dordije Jovanovic. The visitors took an 87-88 lead in the next-to-last minute and that's when Cavanaugh rescued Bahcesehir again, burying the go-ahead triple and grabbing a key offensive rebound in a four-chance offense that allowed Axel Bouteille to give his team a 92-88 edge.
Cavanaugh finished the game with a career-best 17 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting and 6 rebounds for a PIR of 20. He has played the role of a silent leader all season long, amassing three double-doubles and averaging 11.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and a PIR of 17.8 in the last five games.
He was not alone, of course, as Bahcesehir had a true all-around performance. Tai Odiase posted a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, Bouteille had a season-high 23 points and Jaleen Smith narrowly missed a double-double with 19 points and 9 assists for a career-best PIR of 32. Smith and Sehmus Hazer combined for 16 assists and just 5 turnovers.
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Bahcesehir grabbed 3 of its 10 offensive rebounds on that key play and ended up outrebounding Buducnost by 37-34. The hosts dominated all of the hustle stats, finishing the game with 8 steals and 3 blocks. Buducnost was limited to just 4 steals and a block. Cavanaugh contributed the most to Bahcesehir's excellent three-point shooting percentage (12 of 23, 52.2% 3FG). Buducnost made only 10 of 29 shots from beyond the arc (34.5% 3FG).
It could have gone either way but Cavanaugh made sure Bahecsehir grabbed an important home victory.