Partizan locks up third straight trip to Top 16

Partizan NIS Belgrade advanced to the 7DAYS EuroCup Top 16 for the third straight season after it defeated Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul 88-75 in Group A. Rashawn Thomas led the way with 18 points for Partizan, which closed the game on a 19-4 run to improve to 5-3. Codi Miller-McIntyre chipped in 17 points and 5 assists, Nikola Jankovic had 12 points and Marcus Paige scored 10 points for the club, which has won its last three games - all at home - since Coach Sasa Filipovski took over on the sidelines. Partizan reached the EuroCup Quarterfinals last season before the campaign was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bahcesehir dropped to 1-8 in its first season in the competition despite Erick Green pouring in 25 points with 6 assists. Thomas Akyazili added 10 points in defeat.

Green’s free throws for the visitors opened the scoring with Novica Velickovic hitting at the other end. Bahcesehir got a three-point play from Josh Owens and a triple from Jamal Jones in moving ahead 7-11, but then was held scoreless for nearly 4 minutes. Miller-McIntyre and Paige both hit from deep and Ognjen Jaramaz added 6 points in a 14-1 run to go ahead 21-12. Erkan Yilmaz nailed a three-pointer for Bahcesehir, but Paige drained another triple and Partizan was up 25-17 after 10 minutes. Bahcesehir raced back into the game thanks to the long ball with Akyazili hitting a three-pointer and Green draining 2 triples. Yilmaz’s putback dunk gave the visitors a 27-28 lead. Paige answered at the other end and Thomas scored 4 points to keep Partizan ahead, leading 40-34 and then 42-37 at the break.

Nemanja Dangubic’s three-pointer pushed the lead back to double digits at 47-37 as Bahcesehir was held scoreless for more than 2 minutes. The visitors then reeled off 8 straight points with Green’s triple trimming the gap to 47-45. Partizan responded with a 9-1 run, including a Jankovic three-point play for a 56-46 cushion. Bahcesehir hit back with a 2-12 run with three-pointers by Burak Yildizli and Akyazili to knot the game at 58-58. Jankovic’s free throw made it 59-58 after 30 minutes. Thomas threw down a dunk and completed a three-point play before Miller-McIntyre’s three-pointer had the hosts up 67-62. Bahcesehir charged back yet again and this time took the lead on Owens’s transition layup, 67-69. Partizan punched back as Miller-McIntyre and Thomas both knocked down three-pointers and Thomas added a three-point play in a 19-4 run over the final 5 minutes to grab the victory.

Pivotal performer

Rashawn Thomas was there for the big play all night with 18 points on 12 field goal attempts while grabbing 6 rebounds and picking up 4 steals for an index rating of 25.

Different play-caller for Bahcesehir

Bahcesehir parted ways with its head coach Zafer Aktas a day earlier and replaced him with his assistant Erhan Ernak for the game.

Telling numbers

Partizan committed only 7 turnovers while forcing 17 Bahcesehir turnovers - leading to a 25-14 advantage in points off turnovers. Partizan also held the visitors to just 41.2% shooting on two-pointers, though Bahcesehir made 52.9% on three-pointers.

Next games

Partizan will head on the road for its next game as it travels to France to face JL Bourg en Bresse on Tuesday, December 15 in Round 10 action. Bahcesehir will finish its maiden EuroCup campaign at home the same day when it hosts Umana Reyer Venice.