Efes registers historic home blowout

Anadolu Efes Istanbul got back to winning ways in historic fashion on Tuesday, beating Buducnost VOLI Podgorica by 106-68 at home in the Sinan Erdem Dome. Efes broke the game open by using a 22-0 run to finish the third quarter, open a 28-point margin and never looking back. With the help of 13-for-23 three-point shooting, Efes improved its record to 9-4 with the 38-point win, which was the club's largest on its home floor in the EuroLeague this century. Rodrigue Beaubois scored 19 of his 22 points in the first half to lead the winners. Brock Motum had 17 points and 7 rebounds, while Krunoslav Simon collected 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Earl Clark had 21 points and Coty Clarke added 12 for Buducnost, whose record dropped to 3-10.

The game started at a fast pace, with both teams firing in shots. Beaubois and Vasilije Micic each had a three-pointer for the hosts but Buducnost matched it with Clark's triple and Edwin Jackson's three-point play. A runner from Simon and another three from Beaubois in a 7-0 surge made it a 15-8 score Clark hit a pair of jumpers and Suad Sehovic knocked down a three to keep the visitors close, but back-to-back triples from Beaubois and Simon made it 29-20 after 10 minutes. In the second quarter, Clark and Clarke got Buducnost within 36-32, but a three-point play from Beaubois opened a 44-34 Efes advantage. Beaubois hit his fourth three-pointer on as many attempts before halftime, but Clarke also hit from long range to help keep the guests within 49-41 at the break. Nemanja Gordic nailed a jumper and Suad Sehovic had a triple-plus-free throw to keep Buducnost within striking range of the lead before Efes put together a 22-0 run to finish the third quarter. The spurt was sparked by a three-pointer from Beaubois and 7 points from Adrien Moerman, breaking the game wide open as Efes entered the fourth quarter ahead by 81-53. Clark's fastbreak layup at the start of the fourth ended the visitors' drought of more than 5 minutes without a point, but it was too little too late for a comeback. Efes never stopped hustling, and the final margin of 38 points was the largest of the game.

Key run

Buducnost was within 59-53 with a help of a four-point play by Suad Sehovic shortly after halftime. However, Efes scored 22 unanswered points in the final 5 minutes and 13 seconds of the third quarter. The run included 4 triples, one each from Rodrigue Beaubois, Krunoslav Simon, Adrien Moerman and James Anderson.

Pivotal performer

Rodrigue Beaubois was on fire in the first half, helping Efes assume control by scoring 19 points, making 3 of 4 two-point shots and going a perfect 4-for-4 on triples. He finished the game with 22 points and going 5-for 7 from three-point range in just 21 minutes.

Hidden stat

Efes made 26-of-41 two-pointers and 13-of-23 triples. Despite just 25 missed shots, Efes still caught 12 offensive rebounds.

Club records fall

Efes accumulated a performance index rating of 155, the club record and tied for ninth-highest in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague history. The 38-point margin marks for the biggest win for Efes on its home floor in the competition, and its second-best result of any kind following a 59-110 road win over Olympiacos Piraeus back in December of 2004. With 106 points, Efes also set a new club mark for points scored at home.

Next game

On Thursday, Efes will be on the road to face CSKA Moscow, while Buducnost will play host to Fenerbahce BEKO Istanbul