Partizan was the only team in the Top 16 without a win and that is what they fought about tonight, beating Efes Pilsen in Istanbul with 65-67.
No harm done for the Turkish side as they were eliminated anyway and took this match-up in relaxed fashion. Pride was in stake for the guests on the other hand as they wanted to record their first win and not end up as the only team in the Top 16 to remain winless after six games.
And off they went. Under the offensive leadership of Jan Vesely who had 6 in the first quarter, the guests went ahead 12-21 after ten minutes. With Vesely silenced in the second quarter and scoring machine Igor Rakocevic waking up, the Turkish side managed to tie the game at 34 before Jaka Klobucar hit a triple for the 34-37 of the halftime.
It took the hosts five minutes to score in the second half and Partizan took advantage pulling away with seven (34-41). A reaction by the Turks was imminent and Efes once again tied it at 45 with Bootsy Thornton. With Katic and Vesely scoring at will, Partizan again pulled away with eight with just two minutes to time. Efes Pilsen tied again at 65 with an 8-0 run just before Vladimir Lucic scored for the final 65-67 in the final seconds
Efes Pilsen: Akyol, Rakocevic 19, Roberts 9, Tunceri 6, Thornton6, Gonlum 8, Arslan 2, Vujcic 4, Murray 3, Guler 8, Dudley
Partizan: Jerrels 8, Kecman 8, Klobucar 5, Jaramaz, Lucic 4, Milosavljevic, Katic 8, Jawai 6, Besovic, Gist 3, Vesely 23, Djekic 2
