Dexia Turn Back Determined Banvit

Dexia Mons-Hainaut led for virtually the entire game but had to survive a nervous final quarter to beat winless Banvit for their third triumph in EuroCup Qualifying Round Group B.

Narrowly beaten at Ural Great last week, Chris Finch's team put the disappointment behind them and overcame the Turkish outfit 85-81 despite turning the ball over 26 times.

Ben Ebong led the way for Dexia with 23 points in the win.

They looked to be cruising to a decisive win, but Banvit had other ideas.

At the start of the second half, Inanç Koç and Derya Yannier hit on successive trips down the floor from behind the arc to close the gap to 47-39.

After Ebong was off target, Joseph Crispin buried a three-ball and the Belgian team's lead was suddenly just 47-42 ahead.

Banvit shortly after reduced the deficit to 49-46 when Koç made a lay-up to raise his points haul to 13.

Michael Lenzly sparked a 6-0 run with a jump shot for Dexia, however, as the Belgian team kept their noses in front.

A Conlan three-point play took the lead back to 63-50 late in the third quarter, but Banvit had issued a warning with that terrific fightback and were not about to give in.

They would get even closer in the fourth quarter.

The Turkish team started their comeback when Dexia led 74-63 with six minutes remaining.

Andrew "Kenny" Adeleke scored to spark a 9-0 run that was capped by another Yannier three-pointer as Banvit pulled to within 74-72 with 4:11 to go.

Lenzly split a pair of free throws to make it 75-72, but Yigitcan Turna went in for a lay-up to make it a one-point game.

Controversy ensued.

A technical foul was called against Banvit, and that allowed Nate Reinking to go to the charity stripe and make two free throws.

Koç was also called for a technical, and Reinking made two more technical free throws from the line.

When it was over, Dexia had gone from trying to hold on to dear life with a one-point advantage to a 79-74 lead with 3:00 to play.

Banvit got no closer than four points the rest of the way.

Dexia could have had a more comfortable win had they been better at the line. They finished 22 of 33 (66.6%), compared to eight of 13 (61.5%) for Banvit.

Most of the damage inflicted by Dexia came inside. They out-rebounded their visitors 33-21, and shot 27 of 42 (64.2%) inside the arc.

Banvit were also impressive shooting the arc, making 26 of 40 (65%).

Quotes Dexia Mons-Hainaut vs. Banvit BC

Burak Selcuk Ernak, Coach of Banvit:

"We don't deserve to be eliminated after four games,because I think my players did their best to win,but we were with three teams which played very good basketball and had much experience at this level.

"I would like to congratulate Dexia because our hosts were full of expedients to prevent us from coming back in the game two times,and finally,with three players out because of fouls, it wasn't possible to make the good rotations in the end. I also think that one key of this game was the battle for the rebounds and we lost it, especially on defence.

Derya Yannier, Banvit:

"It was the same game as in the first leg and we didn't provide the opportunity to win.We knew the importance of each ball but quickly we were ten points behind our hosts and fourteen just at the half time. We have known very good moments in the beginning of the third quarter which allowed us to come to within three points but Mons found solutions to make the difference at crucial moments."

"I'm very disappointed,because I think that we could have won against Perm, Cherkaski or Mons with a little touch of malice.

"All the games we played were very close,and the issue was depending of some details which were in favour of our opponents."  

Chris Finch, Coach of Mons Hainaut:

"It was a very difficult game with up and downs for us, especially in the second half.  During twenty minutes,we were very concentrated but the concentration reduced from time to time and I'm unable to say why. Now,we are on the good way to reach the next round,but nothing is done because we have to win one time to be sure and we meet Cherkasky,and Perm in a fortnight.

"It's a very good lesson for the future but now we must be concentrated on the championship,before going to Ukraine."  

Travis Conlan, Mons Hainaut:

"Maybe we thought it would be easy after the first quarter, but as time flies we lost a part of our concentration and also some important balls which gave Banvit's players the advantage of keeping the score within three points.

"In less than two minutes they were within range and we had to lock up on defence for obliging them to shoot at the end of twenty four seconds."

"More, they also lost some important balls with our pressure,and it's a good thing to have won despite some ups and downs I cannot explain."