Reyer nearly set a competition record with 38 points in that stanza.
Third-quarter turnaround carried Reyer past Prometey 108-92
Umana Reyer Venice showed just how strong it can be with a near history-making third quarter in its 108-92 comeback win over Prometey Slobozhanske. Reyer trailed 45-57 at halftime and then unleashed a 38-14 third quarter to lay the groundwork for a win in the team’s last home game in the EuroCup this season.
It was the second-most points scored in a third quarter in EuroCup history, topped only by the 41-18 frame bye Unicaja Malaga against EWE Baskets Oldenburg on December 10, 2019. The 108 points meanwhile set a new club single-game scoring record after the team had won 106-96 earlier this season against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in Round 14.
“I was very short at halftime. If you’re going to play defense maybe we have a chance. They scored 57 points in the first half and just 35 in the second half. So it was a different game. Also we did a little bit more offensively and that is the result,” said Reyer coach Neven Spahija.
The team’s stronger defense in the third quarter resulted in seven Prometey turnovers in the period. That came after the guests committed just 1 turnover in the first half and Prometey lost only one ball in the fourth quarter.
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Reyer, which committed 15 turnovers, did quite a lot with those Prometey miscues as Prometey only had a 17-14 advantage in points off turnovers. Despite the great turnaround in the third quarter, Reyer did not grab a steal the entire game.
The victory was extra special for Kyle Wiltjer, who poured in 25 points in front of family. His father-in-law was spending his final day in Venice at the game after he and his wife had been visiting to help take care of Walter’s new baby, who is about 4 months old.
“I just wanted to give him a good game,” said Wiltjer. “My mother-in-law and him have been helping with the baby, so they are the real MVPs this last month. I had to have a special game for them.”