Regular Season Game 9 - December 21, 2006 CET: 20:30 Local time: 20:30 - PALAIS DES SPORTS DE PAU

Records

Ave.   Ave.
0-0 Final Four 0-0
0-0 Playoffs 0-0
0-0 Top 16 0-0
0-0 Regular Season 0-0
4-4 Overall 2-6

Referees

Crew Chief
FACCHINI, FABIO, Italy
Referee
NESKOVIC, DRAGAN, Serbia
Umpire
PATERNICO, CARMELO, Italy

Team Stats

Ave.   Ave.
79.1 Points 73.5
35.0 Rebounds 31.5
9.8 O. Rebounds 7.9
25.3 D. Rebounds 23.6
12.9 Assists 10.0
10.6 Steals 9.5
3.3 Blocks 1.6
14.8 Turnovers 14.3
53.5 % 2PT 52.5 %
36.3 % 3PT 33.2 %
77.7 % FT 74.2 %
85.5 Index 72.0

Player Stats

Ave.   Ave.
17.3 / WRIGHT, MICHAEL Points 14.8 / KAMBALA, K.
6.4 / GREER, RICARDO Rebounds 10.5 / TURKCAN, MIRSAD
2.3 / GREER, RICARDO OR 2.3 / TURKCAN, MIRSAD
4.1 / GREER, RICARDO DR 8.3 / TURKCAN, MIRSAD
4.1 / MILES, AARON Assists 4.0 / SOLOMON, WILLIE
1.9 / HARRISON, C. Steals 1.4 / Onan
1.0 / BAUER, M. Blocks 0.6 / TURKCAN, MIRSAD
2.5 / JOHNSEN, BRITTON Turnovers 4.0 / SOLOMON, WILLIE
65.1 % / JOHNSEN, BRITTON 2PT 58.0 % / KAMBALA, K.
58.3 % / MILES, AARON 3PT 100.0 % / KAMBALA, K.
100.0 % / RUPERT, THIERRY FT 100.0 % / Savas
18.1 / WRIGHT, MICHAEL Index 16.4 / TURKCAN, MIRSAD

THE TAKE

EB Pau-Orthez hosts Fenerbahce Ulker on Thursday in France in a Group C showdown that could have plenty of impact on the race for Top 16 spots. If Fenerbahcebahce (2-6) wins, it would close within one victory of Pau for fifth place - the last automatic Top 16 qualifying spot - in the group. Moreover, a win by 3 points or more would give Fenerbahce a potential head-to-head tie-break advantage if the teams were to finish the regular season with the same record. Meanwhile, a victory for Pau (4-4) would boost the French team's chances for the Top 16. Pau fell last week at Winterthur Barcelona 93-75 while Fenerbahce lost at home to Aris 80-86. The big news from that game for Fenerbahce was the return to action of point guard Will Solomon, who had 16 points and 3 assists in 24 minutes, whikile Ibrahim Kutluay poured in a season-high 22 points. When they met earlier in the season, Pau edged Fenerbahce 66-68 in Istanbul behind 22 points from Michael Wright. In one of this game's marquee matchups, Wright will go head-to-head at times with the Euroleague's all-time Euroleague rebounding leader, Mirsad Turkcan. Wright (17.3 ppg., 4,5 rpg.) ranks second in the Euroleague in scoring this season while shooting an efficient 59.8% on two-pointers. His effective low-post game, enhanced by the play of point guard Aaron Miles (9.6 ppg., 4.1 apg.), frees up room for Pau's other scorers, forwards Britton Johnsen (13.5 ppg., 65.1% 2FG, 5 rpg.) and Michael Bauer (9.8 ppg.) and guard Clint Harrison (9.4 ppg.). Wright may get a few extra minutes this week as center Ian Mahinmi is unavailable with a hip problem. Turkcan (8.8 ppg., 10.5 rpg.) leads the league in rebounding again this season, but has made just 4-of-12 (33.3%) two-pointers and 2-of-12 (16.7%) three-pointers in his last four games. Center Kaspars Kambala (14.8 ppg., 4.3 rpg.) and sharpshooter Kutluay (14.3 ppg.) team with Solomon (12.4 ppg., 4 apg., 2 spg.) to give Fenerbahce a dangerous scoring trio, while Damir Mrsic (11.4 ppg., 41.2% 3FG) has been red-hot from downtown lately. Recent signing Eddie Badsen (6.3 ppg., 3 apg., 2.3 spg.) has also been a big boost to the team's perimeter game, especially on defense. An effective and healthy Solomon strengthens the Fenerbahcebahce rotation and creates pressure on Miles at both ends of the floor, making his performance a key to Fenerbahce's chances on the road.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Euroleague.net - Gokhan Ture, Istanbul

Quotes Head Coaches

HERBERT, GORDON
Pau-Orthez
"We will play the first out of the four home games that we have left in the second part of the regular season, and what's more, against a direct rival for the Top 16. It's useless, then, to say how important this victory would be for us. It will not be easy because Fenerbahce must win to keep its own options. I hope that the fans in our arena will help make the decision with us and we can confirm our good first half of the season."
ORS, AYDIN
Fenerbahce Ulker
"There’s no other chance for us in this game than to win. If we want to survive in the group, we must take revenge for the game in Istanbul and for sure, it’s won't be easy at all. What we are trying to do, have been trying to do for many weeks, but are still struggling with is our defensive resistance. We have no problem offensively: when you look at the games that we lose, the problem is on defense. We will try to change our destiny against Pau-Orthez. But for sure, it’s going to be very hard, because the home fans knows basketball very well and they are really good supporters for their team. Pau-Orthez is a very good team in good condition so we will try to turn those negatives to positives for a good result."

Players

GREER, RICARDO
Pau-Orthez
"It is a very important game for both teams. The challenge is exciting and we have no more option than to win to forget the great disappointment of our last three games and our difficult situation in the French League. Fenerbahce is also obliged to win if they want to be part of the Top 16. We are fully aware of the situation, so we plan to go in with high determination and great concentration to end the year well."
BASDEN, EDDIE
Fenerbahce Ulker
"It’s really a fresh but tough start for me with Fenerbahce Ulker in the Euroleague competition. The Euroleague is harder than I expected and nothing is easy. As a new player, I’m ready to handle responsibility as long as I get the chance to play. The good thing is that I quickly adjusted to my new teammates and I feel that it’s going to be better in the near future. But the most important thing is to survive in the Euroleague, for sure."
Ricardo Greer - EB Pau-Orthez Elan Bearnais Pau-Orthez keeps all its Top 16 chances alive in Group C and finished 2006 with a wide open smile by thrashing visiting Fenerbahce Ulker 89-67 at home on Thursday. Pau improved to 5-4 and will do no worse than fourth place entering 2007. Meanwhile, Fenerbahce dropped into a danger zone at 2-7, though only two victories off all-important fifth place. Britton Johnsen led the winners with 22 points by making 8 of 10 two-pointers as part of a major dunking exhibition. Michael Wright posted a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, Michael Bauer had 18 points on 4 of 4 two-pointers while C.C. Harrison added 10 for Pau. Omer Onan and Kaspars Kambala each had 13 points while Ibrahim Kutluay had all of his 11 in the second half for Fenerbahce. Johnsen led Pau to a 28-17 lead at the end of the first quarter and the hosts never looked back from that moment. Fenerbahce managed to get within 58-51 late in the third quarter, but Johnsen, Bauer and Wright combined for 18 points in the game-breaking 20-2 run that followed.

Johnsen got Pau rolling with a turnaround jumper and Mirsad Turkcan did the same with a put-back basket for the guests. Oguz Savas showed his post skills with a big basket but a hyperactive Ricardo Greer had 5 points in a 9-0 Pau run in which Johnsen dunked and Aaron Miles hit a driving layup to force a Fenerbahce timeout at 11-4. Onan and Kaspars came off the bench to score immediately for the guests. Onan shined again with a coast-to-coast layup that Wright matched with a put-back basket. Harrison struck from downtown and even when Kambala scored inside, free throws by Wright ignited a new 8-0 Pau run. Johnsen highlighted it with an outstanding dunk and finished it with a layup for Pau's biggest margin yet, 24-12. Turkcan scored inside and Onan hit from downtown, but Johnsen and Wright allowed Pau to keep a 28-17 lead after 10 minutes.

Omer Onan - Fenerbahce UlkerThe red-hot Onan tried to ignite Fenerbahce with a three-pointer to start the second quarter, but Harrison beat the guests' 2-3 zone defense with a jumper to keep Pau ahead 30-20. And when Kambala scored inside, Johnsen answered from downtown for an 11-point Pau lead, 33-22. Eddie Basdem tried to change things with a put-back basket and a driving layup to which Kambala added another power basket. Those got Fenerbahce within 35-28, although Bauer dunked and added free throws to keep Pau out of trouble at 39-28. Turkcan came to Fenerbahce's rescue with a fastbreak layup but the guests kept committing turnovers. Harrison hit 3 free throws while Will Solomon hit a six-meter jumper, his first basket. Turkcan banked in a shot but a free throw by Bauer and a three-point play by Wright helped Pau take a 12-point lead, 46-34, into halftime.

As at the start of the game, Johnsen opened the scoring after the break with a jumper and Kutluay replied with a triple for Fenerbahce. Miles answered from downtown and, as the guests lost their way to the basket, scored again to make it 53-37. Onan buried a triple off a Fenerbahce timeout, but Johnsen stole and dunked at 55-40. Rasim Basak stepped up with a three-pointer and soon added free throws to give the guests some hope at 55-45. Kambala followed free throws with a power layup and by the time Basak made foul shots, Fenerbahce was within 58-51. Bauer scored inside just when his team needed it while Xane D'Almeida hit free throws to give Pau some air at 62-51. Damir Mrsic took over with a driving layup and the fed Basak for a dunk, but a corner triple by Bauer allowed Pau to keep a 65-55 margin after three quarters.

Bauer took over with a wild dunk right at the start of the fourth quarter but Kutluay answered with a big three-pointer to keep Fenerbahce alive at 67-58. Kutluay and Mrsic were off-target in crunch time, while Wright shined an off-balanced layup and a three-point play for a 72-60 Pau lead with 6 minutes to go. Wright sealed the win with a layup-plus-free throw as Fenerbahce kept struggling to score when it mattered the most. Bauer helped Pau with a couple of rebounds and a big block on Basdem, while Johnsen shined with a driving layup and an open triple from the top of the key. Everything was said and done in the final 4 minutes, as Pau gave its fans the best Christmas present: a win which get their team closer to its first Top 16 appearance since 2004.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Euroleague.net
Referees: FACCHINI, FABIO (ITA), NESKOVIC, DRAGAN (SRB), PATERNICO, CARMELO (ITA)
Attendance: 6000
By Quarter1234
Pau-Orthez28181924
Fenerbahce Ulker17172112
End of Quarter1234
Pau-Orthez28466589
Fenerbahce Ulker17345567
Head coach: HERBERT, GORDON
Pau-Orthez
# Player Min Pts 2FG
M-A
3FG
M-A
FT
M-A
Rebounds As St To Bl Fouls PIR
O D T Fv Ag Cm Rv
5 HARRISON, CLINT 29:00 10 2/4 1/4 3/3   2 2 2   3     4 1 3
6 D'ALMEIDA, XANE 21:00 2     2/2   3 3 4   1     3 1 6
7 JOHNSEN, BRITTON 28:45 22 8/10 2/5   3   3 1 2 2 2   3 4 24
8 GREER, RICARDO 30:45 7 2/4 0/1 3/3 3 3 6 8 3 4     3 3 17
9 FERCHAUD, CEDRIC 5:15     0/2                   1   -3
11 MILES, AARON 25:00 9 3/7 1/1 0/3   5 5 5   3 1   3 4 11
13 AJINCA, ALEXIS 1:15     0/2                       -2
15 BAUER, MICHAEL 21:00 18 4/4 2/3 4/6 1 3 4     1 2   2 3 21
16 VATY, LUDOVIC 5:00 2 1/1       1 1           1   2
18 WRIGHT, MICHAEL 33:00 19 5/8   9/11 4 7 11 2     1 2 3 9 32
Team             3 3   6           9
Totals 200:00 89 25/38 6/18 21/28 11 27 38 22 11 14 6 2 23 25 120
65.8% 33.3% 75%
Min: Minutes played; Pts: Points; 2FG M-A: 2-point Field Goals (Made-Attempted); 3FG M-A: 3-point Field Goals (Made-Attempted); FT M-A: Free Throws (Made-Attempted); Rebounds: O (Offensive), D (Defensive), T (Total); As: Assists; St: Steals; To: Turnovers; Bl: Blocks (Fv: In Favor / Ag: Against); Fouls: Cm (Commited), Rv (Received); PIR: Performance Index Rating
Head coach: ORS, AYDIN
Fenerbahce Ulker
# Player Min Pts 2FG
M-A
3FG
M-A
FT
M-A
Rebounds As St To Bl Fouls PIR
O D T Fv Ag Cm Rv
4 DEMIREL, HAKAN DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 TURKCAN, MIRSAD 15:15 8 4/5     1 1 2 1   2     2 2 8
7 ONAN, OMER 28:00 13 1/1 3/7 2/2       2 3       2 1 13
8 BASAK, RASIM 14:00 9 1/2 1/2 4/4 1   1       1   4 3 8
9 ERDEN, SEMIH DNP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
10 KUTLUAY, IBRAHIM 33:15 11 1/2 2/7 3/7   5 5 1 1 1     2 6 11
11 SAVAS, OGUZ 14:30 2 1/2     2 2 4   1 1   1 3 1 2
12 MRSIC, DAMIR 25:15 2 1/2 0/4   1   1 4 2 1   1 2 2 2
13 CLARK, IRA 4:45     0/1   1   1   1 2     1   -2
15 KAMBALA, KASPARS 25:30 13 5/6   3/7   3 3 1 1 1 1 2 4 5 12
23 BASDEN, EDDIE 16:45 5 2/3 0/1 1/2 1 2 3   1 1   2 2 1 2
52 SOLOMON, WILLIE 22:45 4 2/3 0/3     2 2 5 1 2     3 2 5
Team                   3           3
Totals 200:00 67 18/26 6/25 13/22 7 15 22 14 14 11 2 6 25 23 64
69.2% 24% 59.1%
This game is not yet played

Head Coaches

HERBERT, GORDON
Pau-Orthez
"It is a great result for the Top 16. We played as a team on both sides of the court. Our defense was key tonight because it permit us to develop our quick game. We are very happy to end the year with a positive balance 5-4. I only wish to transfer the great posibilities we have to the French League."
ORS, AYDIN
Fenerbahce Ulker
"Congratulations to Pau-Orthez for their game. We started very bad our game in defense and when we were about to come back in the second half, we did bad choices in offense and we lost too many balls to hope for something here in Pau."

Players

WRIGHT, MICHAEL
Pau-Orthez
"We played the game with intensity all the way long. From the beginning we found aggressivity in our game and we could deny their game in the fight. There is no reason for this team not to play like this in the French League, so we will come back next year with great determination and motivation to valid our ticket for the Top 16."
SOLOMON, WILLIE
Fenerbahce Ulker
"It was a tough game against a good team of Pau-Orthez who started the game very concentrated and determined. It took time for us to react and when we were about to come back, Pau-Orthez could increase the rhythm and find solutions in offense. The score is severe for us but Pau-Orthez deserved the victory tonight."
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