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Angel McCoughtry came out firing for Fenerbahce, dropping 24 points on Lattes Montpellier |
It's now four wins in a row for Fenerbahce in Group B as the Turkish heavyweights produced a power-packed performance to ease their way to a 73-55 victory at Lattes Montpellier.
The home side knew they would have to try and grind out a result against the unbeaten opponents, but that game plan was more or less torn up after just ten minutes.
Fenerbahce accrued 27 points in the first quarter alone and by the time Birsel Vardarli hit a big triple moments later, they had established a commanding double-digit lead at 34-24.
BLMA were always playing catch-up and despite a bright double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds from Latvian veteran Gunta Basko-Melnbarde, they were unable to get even close to bridging the gap.
Holding Fenerbahce to just nine points during the third quarter looked like it might help their cause, but BLMA subsequently stumbled upon a drought of their own in the last period, as Fenerbahce gleefully cruised over the finishing line.
Angel McCoughtry cemented her status as one of the form players of the early stage of the season after a racking up a super 24 points for Fenerbahce, whilst inside player Ivana Matovic showed her rounded game by adding an eye-catching six assists.
BLMA head coach Valéry Demory
"We had no pressure tonight, so I cannot understand why some of my players were so fragile, even if we continued to fight throughout the match. I have regrets, because with all the players playing to the full we could have won, but we don't believe in ourselves against the big teams. The one big satisfaction tonight was the performance of Gunta Basko."
BLMA forward Géraldine Robert
"We had nothing to lose, but we don't realise the potential that we have. We obviously don't have the same objectives as our opponents, and we are lacking experience, but this was good preparation for Saturday's match against Bourges."
Fenerbahce head coach Roberto Iniguez
"I have a lot of respect for BLMA, who played an aggressive match and who continued to fight even when we were 20 points up. We have players who play a fast game and I can see that the team is progressing and improving with each match."
Fenerbahce center Isabelle Yacoubou
"We knew that BLMA would play with a lot of heart and that we would have to be concentrated throughout the 40 minutes. We have high expectations for this season."