CSKA Moscow blew a 27-point lead but in the end they edged past Fenerbahce 86-80 in the Euroleague Final Four third place game in Madrid on Sunday evening.
Leading 45-18 in the latter stages of the second quarter, CSKA looked dominant and assured of their third place finish. But Fenerbahce never gave up hope.
They chipped away at the deficit, and a three from former CSKA player Nikos Zisis mid-way through the final period tied the game at 70-70.
The unthinkable had happened.
The Russians though found a way to weather the storm and a 9-0 run late on, inspired by Aaron Jackson gave CSKA the lead back and they iced the game from the foul line.
Nando De Colo paced CSKA with 17 points, with Demetris Nichols adding 14 off the bench.
Andrew Goudelock led Fenerbahce with 24 points. This season’s Euroleague MVP Nemanja Bjelica had 18 points and 10 rebounds.
CSKA got off to an early 12-0 lead and looked to rid themselves of any memory that they had of Friday’s loss to Olympiacos.
Once Fenerbahce got their first points on the board, CSKA countered with an 8-0 to take a 27-13 lead after the first quarter.
Fenerbahce’s inability to make a jumper was evident and the Muscovites were taking full advantage as a three from Vitaly Fridzon handed CSKA a 45-18 lead.
CSKA eventually took a 48-24 cushion into the half-time break, and despite the VTB League side’s incapacity to keep a lead, many were led to believe that this game was in the books.
Fenerbahce proved us wrong.
The Turkish side twice levelled things up late in the fourth quarter before CSKA regrouped and iced the game from the line following a dagger three from Nichols.
