Andrews sparks Bursaspor over Valencia, 92-89

Frutti Extra Bursaspor took a big step towards reaching the playoffs by knocking off Valencia Basket 92-89 at home in Group B.

Regular Season

Round 16 of 18

game Valencia Basket vs Frutti Extra Bursaspor

Regular Season

group b

Frutti Extra BursasporFEB

9289

Valencia BasketVBC

group b

Overview

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Andrew Andrews led the way with 23 points, including 16 in the final 7 minutes as the home team won its third straight game to improve to 7-9. David Dudzinski also collected 23 points and Derek Needham added 16 points for Bursaspor, which has now won five consecutive home games. Valencia saw its three-game winning streak snapped and fell to 11-5, missing a chance to clinch home-court advantage in the first knockout round. Xabi Lopez-Arostegui paced the visitors with 17 points while Klemen Prepelic and Mike Tobey scored 14 points each and Jasiel Rivero 13 in the defeat.

Kevarrius Hayes and Onuralp Bitim gave the hosts an early 4-point lead before Rivero scored Valencia’s first points. Dudzinski’s triple pushed the lead to 7-2. Mike Tobey answered with 7 points and Guillem Ferrando drained a three-pointer that knotted the game at 14-14. Victor Claver added 4 points and Valencia took its first lead 16-18. But Andrews had the final 5 points and Bursaspor led 21-18 after 10 minutes.

Bojan Dubljevic opened the scoring in the second quarter with Needham countering with 2 triples and Dudzinski draining a second three-pointer and making two more scores as the cushion grew to 34-25. Valencia came up with some defensive stops, Dubljevic hit from deep and Rivero converted a three-point play and made foul shots before Tobey’s dunk completed a 0-10 run for a 34-35 advantage. Andrews snapped the 3-minute scoring drought, leading to four straight lead changes with Lopez-Arostegui’s three-pointer making it 38-40. John Holland’s three-point play, however, had the hosts up 43-40 at the break.

Needham scored 4 points early in the second half to push Bursaspor ahead 49-42. Valencia stepped up its defense again with Claver and Tobey making triples in a 0-12 run to surge ahead 49-54. Dudzinski ended the scoring drought of more than 3 minutes and really worked to keep Bursaspor close with another triple to make it 58-59. Prepelic had 3 free throws and a three-pointer at the other end and Dubljevic added 4 points as Valencia led 64-66 after 30 minutes.

Holland started the fourth quarter with a three-pointer as the hosts nosed back ahead. Valencia’s 20-year-old guard Ferrando stepped up with a free throw, driving layup and assist on Lopez-Arostegui’s three-pointer for a 67-72 cushion. Andrews said it was his time with a monster dunk and three-pointer late in the shotclock among 9 straight points in helping Bursaspor push back in front 78-74. Prepelic punched back with a three-pointer but Andrews came up with a three-point play and tough shot in the lane to make it 85-79. Valencia was not done yet with Lopez-Arostegui coming up with free throws and a three-pointer with 52 seconds left to pull within 87-86. After Prepelic missed a quick three-pointer with 27 seconds left, Andrews converted free throws with 20 seconds remaining to put the hosts up 89-86. Rivero missed at the other end before Hayes iced the game with a free throw with 13 seconds to play.