Buoyed by coach Dusko Vujosevic’s return to the sidelines, Partizan secured their first win of the Euroleague Top 16 with a 73-72 win over CSKA Moscow in Group F.
With players in space on the wing, Sonny Weems decided to take the ball strong to the hoop in the final seconds but found his wild floater way off target as Partzian’s 18,000-plus supporters celebrated in Belgrade.
“I have to say our guys made another miracle,” Vujosevic said. “I decided to defend the last CSKA attack with a 1-3-1-zone, believing we should not foul. I am extremely happy with the final score and because we beat a great team.”
Bogdan Bogdanovic was outstanding as he led Partizan with 27 points. Tarence Kinsey added 15, despite going 5/15 from the field.
Nenad Krstic led CSKA Moscow with 27 points as they suffer their first loss of the second round.
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Panathinaikos remain unbeaten in Group E following a 78-64 win in Athens against Anadolu Efes, who remain winless.
Dimitris Diamantidis led the Greens with 17 points and 9 assists as they pulled away in the fourth quarter with veteran Diamantidis inspired.
“For a period we were lacking in defence, but now it works much better and gives us energy to be better in offence as well,” Panathinaikos coach Argiris Pedoulakis said. “Basketball is a game of possessions and Panathinaikos knows how to play and how to find energy and passion.”
Zoran Planinic led Anadolu with 13 points.
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The results didn’t get much better for the Euroleague sides as Unicaja Malaga defeated Fenerbahce 89-75 in Spain.
Leading 66-62 after three quarter, Fenerbahce collapsed as Zoran Dragic stepped up to lead Unicaja through the fourth quarter, winning it 27-9, and sealing a huge win to go 2-1 in Group E and leave their Turkish opponents winless.
Dragic hit 24 to lead Malaga.
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EA7 Milano kept up their good home form with an 83-76 win over Laboral Kutxa.
Daniel Hackett, who joined Milano in the Top 16 had his breakout game for the winners with 14 points and 6 rebounds but it was Keith Langford and Jerrells Curtis who stole the show as they led the hosts with 16 points each for the win.
“We got a great victory tonight, with another excellent performance, playing as a team with great energy and controlling the game during all 40 minutes,” Milano coach Luca Banchi said.
Andres Nocioni led Laboral with 18 points.
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