Lenovo Tenerife closed the Top-16 phase of the FIBA Champions League with a win over SIG Strasbourg (71-66) in a match in which neither of the two teams had anything at stake, since both had qualified for the quarterfinals a week earlier.
All the players enjoyed minutes on the pitch. The two coaches wanted to add the victory, but they also gave importance to the most regulars having more rest time and not forcing a clash without significance in the classification.
The differences in the marker were never wide. In the first quarter there were alternations in the electronic and if Lenovo Tenerife managed to leave (24-18, min.11), the French managed to break the streak and get closer, mainly taking advantage of their better inside game.
With Howard on the court, SIG Strasbourg had a better success in attack and his actions, mainly from beyond the three-point line, led his team to take a small difference on the scoreboard (35-38).
The local reaction was immediate. Partial 7-0 and rest with a 42-38 that allowed the aurinegros to reach this first part of the clash with the tranquility of continuing to dominate the match.
Lenovo Tenerife’s best minutes came in the third quarter, when they hurt inside, also outside, and their defense was a little more aggressive. That led them to increase the differences in the electronic and reach the maximum (54-44, min. 29) with what seemed like everything was already decided.
It was not so. Partial 0-7 for the visitors (54-51) and they got into the game again to face the last ten minutes with options.
Equality on the courts even in the final stretch, Txus Vidorreta’s men knew how to play with greater control and success to win the match (71-66).
Now wait for Friday to find out the rival for the quarterfinals. The people from Tenerife, who finished first in their group, will have the advantage of playing at home in the event of a tie at one victory.
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