Bourg outplayed Besiktas on their home court by 86:74, taking a 1-0 lead in the EuroCup semifinal series.
From the very beginning, it was evident that both teams struggled to find their rhythm offensively. The hosts showed slightly more adaptability and began to slowly build a lead. The key players of Besiktas seemed out of sync, with Jonah Matthews and Kyle Allman particularly prone to turnovers.
Early in the second quarter, Bryce Brown punished Besiktas for their mistakes, leading Bourg to an 11-0 run that broke the resistance of their opponents. Besiktas’ performance deteriorated further, trailing by as much as 18 points after Axel Julien’s accurate shooting, posing a significant challenge for the visitors.
Bourg withstands the surge
In the second half, Besiktas seemed to increase their level of aggression. However, the deficit remained too high due to poor defensive communication. The game changed when Dusan Alimpijevic made changes to the lineup. The team played with much more focus on defense, which translated into better offensive performance. Thanks to a mini-run led by Marko Simonovic, Besiktas managed to narrow the gap to just four points.
It seemed like the Turkish club was about to replicate the comeback from the previous game, where they overturned a 21-point deficit. However, Bourg had other plans. The French team thwarted the first surge and then the second, even when Derek Needham brought the deficit down to eight points. It was then that Zaccharie Risacher hit two consecutive three-pointers, which ultimately proved crucial for the home team’s win.
The top scorers for the winners were Isiaha Mike and Jequan Lewis with 16 and 14 points respectively. Angel Delgado led the guests with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Montenegrin basketball player Marko Simonovic finished the game with 14 points.
Bourg now leads the semifinal series 1-0, which is played in a best-of-three format. The next matchup is scheduled for Friday, with Besiktas hosting.
The other semifinal pair consists of Paris and the London Lions.
