AS Monaco Basket falls 86 to 92 against Fenerbahce at Gaston Médecin, in Euroleague. The Monegasques failed to close out the game and were surprised by clinical Turks in the fourth quarter.
Ahead for almost the entire game, the Roca Team was caught off guard by the Turks at the end and lost 86 to 92. A 17-point lead in the third quarter was poorly managed by Vassilis Spanoulis’s men.
In a Gaston Médecin arena that showed up for this clash, AS Monaco Basket welcomed Fenerbahce for the 15th day of the Euroleague. About thirty Turkish supporters traveled to the Principality. The Roca Team was on a four-game winning streak across all competitions. The team from Istanbul arrived with high confidence, having ten consecutive victories, including five in the Euroleague.
The match began with a series of missed shots! The two teams were extremely inaccurate in front of the basket. During the first four minutes of the game, only four points were scored, including two free throws (2-2). After being in trouble for a while, Vassilis Spanoulis’s men took control of the game. They ended the first quarter ahead (21-14).
The Turks demonstrated significant inaccuracy in shooting, with only a 25% success rate. Sarunas Jasikevicius’s players finished the first quarter with a poor 1/11 from three-point range. Once again this season, the Monegasques struggled in the paint, managing only eight rebounds, compared to 18 for their opponents.
Intensity, but still errors
The second quarter began similarly to the first, with lots of intensity but also errors. The shooting percentages of both teams were unimpressive, barely exceeding 40%. The Turks had difficulty scoring three-pointers, with a meager 3/22 since the start of the game, despite openings left by the Monegasque defense.
The Roca Team maintained its lead in the scoreboard thanks to a solid 10/11 free-throw record. They went into the locker room with an eight-point cushion against their opponent (46-38). Individually, Kevarrius Hayes had a strong first half with 12 points and two rebounds.
A two-faced Roca Team in the third quarter
AS Monaco Basket left their focus in the locker room. The Monegasques struggled in the early possessions, watching Fenerbahce come within two points. The team from the Principality regained composure and initiated a strong period. Vassilis Spanoulis’s men imposed an 18-3 run on the Turks.
Despite this excellent phase, the Roca Team fell back into their bad habits. Elie Okobo’s teammates forced several shots. The Monegasques allowed their opponents to stay in the game and finished this third quarter poorly. The Istanbul players didn’t miss the opportunity and narrowed the gap to nine points (69-60).
Monaco throws it all away at the end
Spanoulis’s men squandered their lead in this match. The Monegasques completely fell apart, and the Turks took advantage. Sarunas Jasikevicius’s players inflicted a 13-0 run on Monaco and took the lead (74-78). With less than a minute to go, Fenerbahce was 100% from the field, with 11 attempts. In contrast, the Monegasques were below 45% with nine attempts.
The Roca Team fell 86 to 92 against Fenerbahce. The Monegasques will regret their 17-point lead in the third quarter. The Turks can thank the American Talen Horton-Tucker for his 24 points, including 13 scored in the last quarter.
There is one last game this week for the Roca Team. It will be on Sunday, with the visit of Strasbourg for the 11th day of Betclic Elite. In the Euroleague, there will be two matches next week. A trip to Spain to face Baskonia on Wednesday night. The Monegasques will follow up with the reception of Bayern Munich two days later.
