Fourth Quarter Rally Gives BCM Victory

Aldo Curti's back-to-back three-pointers sparked Gravelines 12-0 run in the final quarter

BCM Gravelines came storming back in the fourth quarter to beat Szolnoki Olaj 82-78 and keep pace with French rivals Paris Levallois at the top of Group J in the EuroChallenge Last 16.

With the two teams tied together with 2-1 records prior to tip-off, they knew that victory could be vital in the group and a suitably close battle followed.

The lead changed hands 10 times with seven ties in the first 25 minutes and it was not until late in the third quarter that one team made their move.

But that team was Szolnoki, who scored eight straight points - including three-pointers from James Florence and Zoltan Trepak - to go 62-53 up with 1:17 left in the period.

Sarra Camara took two points off the deficit before the buzzer but it was in the fourth quarter that Gravelines turned the tables.

Brandon Gay's three put Szolnoki 67-62 up but Gravelines replied with back-to-back threes from Aldo Curti, the start of a 12-0 run that put them 74-67 ahead.

Marton Bader hit back-to-back shots for the visitors but Julius Johnson's three-pointers and Abdoulaye Mbaye's lay-up edged Gravelines clear once more.

They led 82-74 after Mbaye split a pair of free throws but Gay replied almost immediately and then made a pair of free throws that cut the gap to just four with 48 seconds left.

There seemed plenty of time for them to cut that gap further, but Gravelines wound down the clock before Juan Edwards' miss, and Miklos Szabo blew Szolnoki's chance with a turnover.

Curti led Gravelines with 14 points while Mbaye had 12, Johnson 11 and Dwight Buycks 10.

Bader had 21 points for Szolnoki, while Gay collected 15 and Sead Sehovic 11.

Quotes BCM Gravelines Dunkerque vs. Szolnoki Olaj KK

Szolnoki Olaj head coach Nedeljko Asceric:
"It's disappointing, we controlled the game during 30 minutes, we achieved to stop their fast breaks and transitions during three quarters but in the end it wasn't enough. I'm happy with my team's job; we would have deserved to win the game. Two more games to go now!"

Szolnoki Olaj player Brandon Gay:
"It's a tough loss, we had some turnovers and bad shots in the final moments but we play two games at home now so the qualification is not over at all."

Gravelines-Dunkerque head coach Christian Monschau:
"We were too passive especially in defense during three quarters and we finally found the energy to come back into the game and take the win. It's a good win but there are still two games to play, the next game we'll be in Paris, it will not be easy at all."

Gravelines-Dunkerque player Abdou Mbaye:
"We achieved to overcome the deficit in the fourth quarter, the bench brought the energy we needed and we knew if we increased the rhythm we could get the win and we finally got it."

Quotes BCM Gravelines Dunkerque vs. Szolnoki Olaj KK

Szolnoki Olaj head coach Nedeljko Asceric:
"It's disappointing, we controlled the game during 30 minutes, we achieved to stop their fast breaks and transitions during three quarters but in the end it wasn't enough. I'm happy with my team's job; we would have deserved to win the game. Two more games to go now!"

Szolnoki Olaj player Brandon Gay:
"It's a tough loss, we had some turnovers and bad shots in the final moments but we play two games at home now so the qualification is not over at all."

Gravelines-Dunkerque head coach Christian Monschau:
"We were too passive especially in defense during three quarters and we finally found the energy to come back into the game and take the win. It's a good win but there are still two games to play, the next game we'll be in Paris, it will not be easy at all."

Gravelines-Dunkerque player Abdou Mbaye:
"We achieved to overcome the deficit in the fourth quarter, the bench brought the energy we needed and we knew if we increased the rhythm we could get the win and we finally got it."