Fenerbahçe Ülker eases past Nanterre to remain unbeaten in Euroleague
ISTANBUL
Nanterre's Jeremy Nzeulie (R) fights for the ball with Fenerbahce's Melih Mahmutoglu (L) during the Euroleague game against Fenerbahçe Ülker. AFP photo
Fenerbahçe Ülker has held off Euroleague newcomers JSF Nanterre scoring a 83-66 home win to remain unbeaten in Group A.The French champions who were narrowly edged by CSKA Moscow and shocked Barcelona at their home court victory, came close to spoil the night for the Yellow Canaries by melting a double-digit gap to 68-64 with four minutes left. However the Istanbul side, which lost its first game under the legendary Serbian Coach Zeljko Obradovic on the week-end against Tofaşspor, inflicted a 15-2 run to seal the victory.
The duo Bojan Bogdanovic and Emir Preldzic stellar since the start of the Euroleague campaign was once again decisive against Nanterre. The Croatian forward paced the Canaries with 20 points while the naturalized Turkish player scored 16 points. Nemanja Bjelica added 15 points and Linas Kleiza contributed with 9 points.
French big man Ali Traore came from the bench to lead his side with 20 points. Only two other Nanterre players were able to score more than six points.
In the other game of the group, Budivelnik Kiev was overpowered 74-84 by Barcelona. Fenerbahçe is sure to remain on top with five wins in as much games half-way through the regular season.
In the Group D Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv defeated Panathinaikos 75-68 and Lokomotiv Kuban edged Laboral Kutxa 85-84. Both winners lead the group with a 3-1 record.
Elsewhere Montepaschi Siena surprised Unicaja Malaga with a 75-73 road victory as Zalgiris Kaunas cruised past Zalgiris Kaunas 91-61.
Galatasaray Liv Hospital will host Bayren Munich on Nov. 15.
