Metropolitans shut down Partizan
Boulogne Metropolitans 92 wrestled away sole possession of first place in Group F of the Top 16 with an impressive defensive showing in a 79-62 home victory over Partizan NIS Belgrade. David Michineau led the way with 16 points and 4 assists for Metropolitans, which improved to 2-0. Miralem Halilovic scored a career-high 15 points while Maxime Roos had a career night with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks. Partizan suffered its first loss of the Top 16 to fall to 1-1 despite Codi Miller-McIntyre and Rade Zagorac both tallying 14 points and William Mosley hitting for 13.
Vitalis Chikoko opened the scoring for the hosts with Miller-McIntyre hitting from deep for Partizan’s first - and only - lead 2-3. Michineau knocked down a triple at the other end and Metropolitans started with superb defense, putting together a 14-4 run including 4 points each from Halilovic and Anthony Brown for a 19-8 lead. Zagorac managed a three-pointer for the visitor, but they trailed 22-11 after 10 minutes. Halilovic started the second quarter before Marcus Paige made a triple for Partizan. But Metropolitans continued to pour it on with a Roos dunk and Bastian Pinault three-pointer for a 29-16 cushion. Partizan started to score more consistently through Miller-McIntyre and Rashawn Thomas and pulled within 35-30. Paul Stoll hit a triple for Metropolitans for a 38-30 lead at the break.
After Roos reestablished a 10-point lead to begin the second half. Partizan scored the next 4 points and it was 42-36 when the Partizan offense stalled again; Roos scored 5 points in a 9-0 surge to open a 53-36 advantage. Lahaou Konate’s free throws extended the cushion to 59-41 and it was 61-46 after 30 minutes. Archie Goodwin scored 4 quick points early in the fourth quarter and Roos pushed the margin to 69-46. Zagorac finally got Partizan on the board after more than 4 minutes. Konate and Michineau drained back-to-back three-pointers for a 77-53 lead to decide the game for good.
Career night for Roos
Maxime Roos had a night to remember as he collected 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 5 blocks for an index rating of 22. He set new personal EuroCup records in every category besides tying his steals mark after previous bests of 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and 13 PIR.
Stoll’s strong debut
Paul Stoll had a strong debut for Metropolitans with 5 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists for an index rating of 12 in 15 minutes of action. The 35-year-old Stoll was brought in to help fill the injury loss to Brandon Brown.
Telling numbers
Metropolitans tied a team record with 8 blocks while holding Partizan to just 39.5% on two-pointers and 23.8% on three-pointers.
Next games
Metropolitans will remain at home for its next EuroCup game; it hosts Dolomiti Energia Trento on Tuesday, January 26. Partizan will have another road game and travels to Russia to play Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar the next day.
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Eurocupbasketball.com