Darussafaka takes road win at Nanterre

Darussafaka Tekfen Istanbul boosted its Top 16 chances with a 68-82 road win over Nanterre 92 on Tuesday in France. The visitors used a 0-11 fourth-quarter run to pull away after Nanterre erased a 15-point deficit to lead 63-61. The victory lifted Darussafaka to 4-3 in Group C and dropped Nanterre to 2-5. It also opened the door for Joventut Badalona to advance to the Top 16 as soon as Wednesday with a victory. Bonzie Colson and Johnathan Hamilton scored 17 points apiece for the winners, Doron Lamb netted 14 points, Kartal Ozmisrak tallied 13 points and 7 assists and Jarrod Jones posted 10 points and 8 rebounds. Kenny Chery stood out for Nanterre with 18 points and Dallas Moore scored 9.

The pace was slow early with a number of turnovers leaving each team with just a solitary basket after 3 minutes. Once things picked up, Chery had the hot hand for the hosts and Colson kept Darussafaka close. Colson's free throws gave the visitors their first lead, 15-16, with 2 minutes left in the first quarter. Lamb scored 9 points over the next three possessions to lift his side to a 17-25 lead advantage after 10 minutes. Colson made it a double-digit lead with a fadeaway jumper before Berk Demir capped a 0-15 run with a steal and layup that made it 17-29. Jean-Marc Pansa heated up for Nanterre and Spencer Butterfield gave the hosts hope with a three that made it 30-38 and prompted a Darussafaka timeout. Darussafaka got going on offense, however, Chery's third three of the half made it 37-45 at the break. Nanterre held the visiting team without points for more than 3 minutes to start the second half and drew within 3 on a triple by Butterfield. Mehdy Ngouma free throws trimmed the gap to 48-50. Colson connected from deep to keep Darussafaka in control, but Nanterre battled on and Devin Oliver's steal and layup and Youssoupha Ndoye's free throw left the score tied 57-57 entering the fourth quarter. Dallas Moore completed the Nanterre comeback with a layup that made it 63-61. Darussafaka called a timeout and soon regained the lead with a 0-11 run that featured a pair of Hamilton slams, a Colson layup and a three-pointer by Lamb. Sinan Gular's layup in the penultimate minute restored a double-digit Darussafaka lead and the visitors held on the rest of the way.

Game-deciding run

The momentum was all Nanterre's after the hosts rallied to lead 63-61 on a Dallas Moore layup with 6:43 remaining in the fourth quarter. The visitors called a timeout and when they returned to the parquet, everything was different. Darussafaka scored on five of its next six possessions while forcing Nanterre into 5 straight missed shots - including blocks by Jarrod Jones and Johnathan Hamilton. That 0-11 run, which was Hamilton dunk twice and deliver an assist, put Darussafaka in control for good.

Key performer

Kartal Ozmizrak came off the bench to play a big role for the winners with one of the best games of his career. The 24-year-guard and member of the team's 2018 EuroCup-winning squad, went for 13 points and a career-high 7 assists. His performance index rating of 21 is also a personal best. Ozmizrak made 4 of 5 two-point shots, 1 of 3 tries from downtown and both of his free throws. He only committed 1 turnover in 26:23 minutes.

Strngth from the bench

Darussafaka got more from its reserves on this night and they played big roles in staking their side to the victory. Kartal Ozmizrak and Doron Lamb were the leaders for the Darussafaka second unit which compiled 32 points, 9 rebounds and 11 assists. The hosts got 22 points, 7 boards and 5 assists from their reserves.

What's next?

Nanterre heads to Russia next week to face UNICS Kazan, while Darussafaka hosts Joventut Badalona. Both games will be on Wednesday, November 20.