© Rudy DECLERCK
Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul, winner of the FIBA Europe Cup 2022, has put things in order and made it 1-1 with Filou Oostende. The Turks won 64-77. At no time could the Sea Captains threaten the Red Dragons. A decisive match will follow on Tuesday, January 17 at the Sea of Marmara.
Peter Rossel
Unlike last week, Ostend did not start the second quarter brilliantly. On the contrary, Smith even flirted with a twenty-something (15-32) in the thirteenth minute. Quickly Thurman and Tyree eased to 22-34. But with a 26-41 deficit, Gjergja requested another time-out and after a deliberate error by Bleijenbergh, Boutsiele scored 26-43. In two crazy minutes, Tyree, Bleijenbergh, Buysschaert and Gillet halved that gap to a 35-43 halftime score.
Van der Vuurst immediately opened the third company, in which Bratanovic was again in the starting line-up: 37-43. Bouiele, however, pounded to 40-54, time for an Ostend time-out. It became even more difficult when Bleijenbergh heard a technical foul, because he bounced the ball too hard. In combination with his unsportsmanlike foul in the second quarter, this meant the exclusion for the young Antwerp player. Coach Gjergja applauded the decision and also received a technical foul.
Smith and co thanked with a sprint to a maximum 40-58. At the half hour (49-65) few doubted the name of the winner. That difference had increased to eighteen units (51-69) in the 35th minute. Thurman still produced great baskets, three of which were bombs in as many minutes and van der Vuurst pushed the deficit below the ten-point limit: 64-72 and still 2’01.” on the clock. Oostende no longer approached closer: 64-77.
The third and decisive match with a ticket for the Round of Sixteen will follow on Tuesday, January 17 in Istanbul. Before that, the team from Ostend still have two league matches to play: Friday, January 13 at home against Spirou Charleroi and Sunday, January 15 in Leuven Bears.
FILOU OSTENDE: (25 of 54 of which 6 of 25 three-pointers, 8 of 12 free throws, 19 fouls) TYREE 10-2, VAN DER VUURST 2-4, BLEIJENBERGH 2-3, BRATANOVIC 4-0, GILLET 5-0, Buysse 0 -0, Barcello 0-0, Buysschaert 5-1, Thurman 7-17, Troisfontaines 0-2
QUARTZ: 13-27, 22-16, 14-22, 15-12.
