D-Will explodes for 50 points

Deron Williams exploded to set a new record in the Eurochallenge Cup, pouring in 50 points as Beşiktaş Milangaz beat Göttingen 105-94 on Nov. 22.

Williams was seven-for-10 behind the three-point line and shot 10-for-13 in two-point shots. The point guard was 9-11 from the free throw line.

That was Beşiktaş’s third victory in as many games in Group B of the third-tier European competition.

The New Jersey Nets point guard, who chose to play in Turkey during the lockout, has been leading Beşiktaş to some successful performances but he was on another level on Nov. 22.

The Black Eagles maintained their lead in the group with the win, but coach Ergin Ataman did not have any positive words for his team besides Williams.

“That was the biggest domination of a single player I have ever seen in European basketball,” he was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency. “That win completely came from individual effort. But I have to say I was not happy about the overall performance of the team. Allowing 94 points is a disaster. Winning is nice but as a team playing for the title, we need to put on a better defensive performance.”

Ataman’s woes are likely to continue, since center Semih Erden, who was also playing in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, will be sidelined around two or three months due to a broken thumb sustained in the game.

Erden’s injury made Beşiktaş’s search for a center made even more urgent. The team was already in the market for a big man, with Poland’s Marcin Gortat reportedly being the main target. Beşiktaş had an offer turned down by Kevin Love, while it canceled bids for Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng due to high insurance costs.