Erceg, Arroyo star in Galatasaray’s 2OT win over Crvena Zvezda

Zoran Erceg and Carlos Arroyo took turns in the spotlight to lead Galatasaray Liv Hospital over Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade 110-103 in a memorable duel at Abdi Ipekci Arena in Istanbul. The hosts tied Zvezda at 3-3 for second place in Group D, though a pair of Luka Mitrovic free throws with 0.2 seconds left Zvezda with the potential head-to-head tiebreaker between the teams; Zvezda defeated Galatasaray by 8 last month in Belgrade. Erceg scored 32 points and was perfect in 14 trips to the line, while Arroyo piled up 26 points and 6 assists. History was made for the visitors too; Marcus Williams set a new Euroleague record with 17 assists, Mitrovic nearly doubled his previous high with 30 points to set a new club record and Boban Marjanovic’s 17 rebounds were the most in the Euroleague in three seasons. The hosts led for much of the first half and went into the break ahead 45-40, but Marjanovic highlighted a 0-14 start to the second half by the visitors. Galatasaray rallied back to lead 77-76 after a tough Arroyo jumper with 54 seconds remaining. Nikola Kalinic countered with a big three, but after free throws, Erceg connected on a deep triple to tie it at 82-82 and force overtime. The lead changed hands five times in the first overtime before Arroyo tied it at 96-96 from the line with 12 seconds left and Williams failed to get off a shot on the final play. In the second overtime period, Arroyo put the game away with three big threes to wrap up a historic contest. Ender Arslan added 15 points and 6 assists, Kerem Gonlum posted 15 points and 7 rebounds and Sinan Guler had 10 points and 8 boards for the winners. After Mitrovic’s 30 points, Marjanovic amassed 23 points and 17 rebounds, while Nikola Kalinic scored 21.

First quarter: Erceg and Mitrovic start strong

Making his first start for Galatasaray, Pietro Aradori opened the scoring with a pull-up jumper with his foot on the tree-point line. Jaka Blazic sank a three from the corner for the hosts’ first points. Furkan Aldemir hit a fadeaway jumper and Erceg sank a pair of free throws as the hosts grabbed a 6-3 advantage. Erceg heated up with a pair of triples before Zvezda called for its first timeout. Kalinic came in and made a layup for the visitors. Mitrovic scored three straight baskets inside – the second basket coming from a great Williams pass – as Zvezda clawed within 12-11. Erceg got to the line for 2 to end a 0-8 Zvezda march, but Mitrovic drained a three to tie that game at 14-14. Erceg scored 2 more from the line, Ian Vougioukas made a hook over Maik Zirbes and Sinan Guler finished in transition to put the hoists up 6. Mitrovic attacked the basket and got back to the line for 2 more points. Carols Arroyo fed Kerem Gonlum to make it 22-16 after 10 minutes.

Second quarter: Ercig stays hot as Galatasaray grabs slim lead

Marko Tejic halved the Zvezda deficit from downtown. Jaka Blazic free throws made it a 1-point game. Nata Jawai soared to grab a missed Arroyo three and dunked it to put the hosts ahead 24-21. A technical foul on Galatasaray Coach Ataman helped Blazic get to the line again. Arslan lifted Galatasaray with a three-pointer and then a pair of free throws to make it 29-22. Tejic sank a jumper, but then fouled Erceg, who made his seventh and eight free throws of the game. Marjanovic collected a missed shot and stuffed it in. Arslan slalomed through the Zvezda defense for a layup of his own. Erceg sandwiched a pair of short jumpers around a basket-plus-foul from Marjanovic, giving the hosts a 37-29 lead. Mitrovic’s second three of the game brought Zvezda within 4. Aldemir free throws kept the hosts in control, but a brilliant Williams assist to Mitrovic made it 40-38. Arroyo took over with a jumper and a triple. Marjanovic found Williams at the basket to make it 45-40. Aradori’s shot at the buzzer was ruled to be late.

Third quarter: Zvezda storms ahead with 14 unanswered points

Marjanovic scores the first two baskets of the second half – the second on the offensive glass with a dunk. Then Williams found Kalinic for a layup and a slam as the visitors stormed in front 45-48. Mitrovic drove and created space for Marjanovic and a slam. Kalinic banked a shot in and Lazic followed with a layup as Zvezda held Galatasaray scoreless for over four minutes in scoring 14 unanswered points for a 45-54 lead. Vougioukas dropped in a floater to end the home team’s drought. Williams recorded his 10th assist as Marjanovic split free throws. Williams sank a pull-up jumper for the game’s first double-digit difference. Arroyo connected from behind the arc to inspire the Galatasaray crowd. Mitrovic got to the line and established a new career high in scoring by making 2 to reach 18 individual points. Despite an Arslan layup, Blazic and Mitrovic free throws kept the visitors comfortably ahead, 54-63.

Fourth quarter: Erceg strings together 12 more points and memorable three to tie

Guler scored the first basket of the quarter, but was rejected from behind by Blazic on a break moments later. Gonlum split free throws to make it 57-63. Williams found Maik Zirbes inside for a slam. Left open in the corner, Guler nailed a triple to make it 60-65. Erceg free throws carried the hosts even closer. After a timeout, Zvezda went to Williams, who nailed a key three. Marjanovic corrected his own miss, but Gonlum matched him at the other end. Erceg made a reverse layup to keep his team within 5. Marjanovic split free throws to make it 67-73 with three minutes to play. After a timeout, Arroyo found Erceg for his first triple of the second half. He then made it a 1-point game with 2 free throws. Kalinic put Zvezda up 72-76 with a three with two minutes remaining, but Arslan answered with a three of his own. Arroyo hit a tough jumper over the outstretched arm of Lazic as Galatasaray took its first lead of the fourth quarter, 77-76, with 54 seconds remaining. Kalinic hit a second clutch triple and Arroyo missed at the other end. Galatasaray fouled Williams to stop the clock and the guard only made 1 of 2 with 12 seconds left for a 77-80 lead. Arslan and Marjanovic traded free throws before Erceg surprised everyone with a long three-pointer with a few seconds remaining to tie the game at 82-82. Mitrovic missed a desperation three at the buzzer.

Overtime: After five lead changes, teams still even

Arroyo scored first from the line and Gonlum put Galatasaray up 4 with a basket on the offensive glass. Kalinic answered with a three and Mitrovic put Zvezda ahead 86-87. Arroyo thrilled the arena with a three, but Mitrovic made one too. It was 89-90 with two minutes to go. Gonlum made another tip-in, but Marjanovic made free throws and Kalinic took a pass from Williams – the latter’s record-breaking 16th assist – to make it 91-94. Guler tied the game at 94-94 with a layup-plus-foul. Marjanovic free throws with 23.6 seconds left put Zvezda up 2. Blazic fouled out in sending Arroyo to the line with 11 seconds remaining. He tied the game at 96-96. Williams drove the lane, but could not get a shot off and time expired with the game still tied.

Second overtime: Arroyo lights up the arena

With the pressure mounting, neither team score in the first minute of the extra session. Aldemir fouled out and Blazic split free throws. Arroyo hit a three from the corner. Blazic committed an offensive foul and Kalinic fouled out on the next play. Gonlum split free throws to make it 100-97. Erceg came up with a steal, drove downcourt and drew a foul. His free throws put the hosts up 5 with 2:30 to play. After a timeout during which Abdi Ipekci was rocking, a Mitrovic three brought silence at 102-100. Gonlum scored inside at the other end. Arroyo’s fifth three of the game with 47 seconds left was a dagger that made it 107-102. Blazic split free throws. Zvezda sank back on defense to play for the point difference. Arroyo nailed another three to put the hosts up 9. Mitrovic was fouled at the buzzer and made 2 free throws to set the final score at 110-103.