The Spaniards suffocated Bahcesehir for most of the game
Gran Canaria turned to its defense to remain perfect
Often viewed as an offensive juggernaut, Dreamland Gran Canaria found another recipe for success on Wednesday night. In its Round 3 win over the visiting Bahcesehir College Istanbul, head coach Jaka Lakovic's team went to another level on defense to keep the visitors at bay.
"This was a great test for us," Gran Canaria guard Caleb Homesley said afterward. "Bahcesehir is a really good team. I thought tonight we really had to rely on our intensity and defense, and that's ultimately what won us the game."
Facing a team that is yet to allow its opponent to score 70 points, Gran Canaria felt how well Bahcesehir plays defense. Gran Canaria overcame 20 turnovers on only 11 assists, and a sub-par 33.3% three-point shooting.
But Gran Canaria showcased the type of defense it is capable of playing, too. Especially close to the rims, where it outrebounded the visitors 41-29 and held the visitors to 41.0% two-point shooting.
And in a physical game and tight game, Gran Canaria used a strong finish, a 12-2 run that turned a 54-61 deficit into a 66-63 win.
"We were a little bit better with our decisions on offensive possessions [late in the game], and of course, we had good defensive stops," commented Coach Lakovic.
Gran Canaria has now won its first three games for the second consecutive season, and with its offensive potential and the way it showed it can play defense, this team will be hard to beat this season.