Auguste, Hayes lead Galatasaray to victory
Galatasaray Istanbul opened the 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season in style by downing Morabanc Andorra 84-73 at Sinan Erdem Dome on Tuesday. Galatasaray became the first team to get a win in Group A and did so by playing with high intensity and shooting with great effectiveness (60.4% 2FG). Nigel Hayes led the winners with 19 points, Zach Auguste added 18, Aaron Harrison had 15 and Jaka Klobucar 10 for Galatasaray. Dylan Ennis led Andorra with 20 points.
An unstoppable Auguste helped Galatasaray to an early 18-9 lead. Michele Vitali and Ennis rescued Andorra and a three-pointer by John Shurna gave the guests a 22-23 edge early in the second quarter. Klobucar had five points in a 10-0 run and joined forces with Auguste to make sure Galatasaray kept a 43-36 margin at halftime. Hayes and Auguste took over after the break and a jumper by Tai Webster made it a double-digit game, 55-44. Galatasaray kept finding open shots, getting a 66-54 margin after 30 minutes. Ennis tried to change things for Andorra early in the fourth quarter and a layup by Vitali gave the guests hope at 75-66. Hayes and Harrison stepped up in crunch time, making sure Galatasaray cruised to a well-deserved win.
PIVOTAL PERFORMER
Auguste was all over the place against Andorra, contributing in many ways: 18 points on 9-of-14 two-point shooting, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 5 blocks for a PIR of 29. He dominated from the very beginning of the game, throwing down a put-back dunk on the game's opening play, and never stopped.
GAME-CHANGING MOMENT
When Shurna gave Andorra its last lead, 22-23, Galatasaray improved its defense and went on a 10-0 run, led by Klobucar and Auguste. Galatasaray took the lead for good, 32-23, and Andorra never really recovered after that.
FIRST IMPRESSION
Nigel Hayes played his first-ever game in European club competitions and Galatasaray fans got to see him perform at a very high level - 19 points on 8 of 8 two-point shooting, good hustle - a steal, a block, 2 offensive rebounds - and a PIR of 24. Not a bad start!
STELLAR STAT
Galatasaray forced Andorra into up 20 turnovers in this game. Andorra only had more than 20 turnovers once in EuroCup history - 21 against Fiat Turin last season. That allowed Galatasaray to get 11 steals and get its transition game going. Galatasaray committed just 11, too.
NEXT GAME:
Galatasaray visits ratiopharm Ulm on Wednesday at 19:30 CET. Half an hour later, Andorra hosts Germani Brescia Leonessa, Vitali's former team.

Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Eurocupbasketball.com