Monaco’s new away defeat in the Euroleague, the 4th in a row
A week after drinking the cup again in Belgrade, monaco did not manage to raise his head, moving on the floor of Fenerbahce this Thursday. The “Roca Team” lost 98-94 after extra time. The fourth straight loss on the road for the Monegasques and Mike James (23 points), who nevertheless retains 5th place in the standings.
The “Roca team”, which remained on two heavy defeats in Belgrade, against the Red Star (92-68) last week, and against Partizan (100-80) a week earlier, showed a much better face in Istanbul, especially during the first period which they won 47-39.
turkish alarm clock
But she could not resist the Turkish awakening, notably by American strong winger Jonathan Motley, 17 points, Turkish-American point guard Scottie Wilbekin, his team’s top scorer with 21 points, and Nick Calathès, his Greek strategist, decisive in extra time.
On the Monegasque side, we expected a lot from the returns of Jordan Loyd, one of his best players this season, injured for three weeks, and Donta Hall, his interior, injured in Serbia. The two Americans, short of pace, remained discreet rewarded their compatriot Mike James to shine with 23 points scored (best scorer of the meeting), well assisted by the captain of the Roca Team, Yakuba Ouattara, 19 points, his Euroleague record. Insufficient, however, to overcome Fenerbahçe.
Monaco still in the race
Each of the two teams dominated one of the two periods. Monaco, intractable on the rebounds, offensive in particular, turned in the lead therefore, before being totally dominated during the 3rd quarter and seeing its lead melt away in the boiling Ulker Sports Arena which regained its voice, at the same time as Motley disgusted the Monegasque attackers.
And if Mike James snatched an unexpected extension, at the buzzer or almost, the players of the Rock finally gave in during the five additional minutes when Nick Calathès, draft until now, decided to find his address. Thanks to his victory, Fenerbahçe, declared candidate for the title at the end of the season, is now second in the standings, before the other matches of the 20th day.
Still fifth in the standings, still in the race to qualify for the “Final Four”, Monaco will host Milan, 17th and penultimate in the Euroleague, on Matchday 21 next Thursday.