Anadolu Efes Falters in Final Quarter as Monaco Rallies for the Win

Meritking News09/11/2024

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In Round 8 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Anadolu Efes hosted AS Monaco but suffered a disappointing 69-81 loss after struggling offensively in the final quarter. This win marked Monaco’s fifth victory of the season, while Anadolu Efes recorded their fourth loss.

Key Performers:

For Anadolu Efes:

Vincent Poirier: 14 points, 8 rebounds
Ercan Osmani: 11 points, 2 rebounds
Rolands Smits: 10 points, 2 rebounds
Jordan Nwora: 8 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds
Rodrigue Beaubois: 6 points, 2 rebounds
Darius Thompson: 7 points, 10 assists
Elijah Bryant: 5 points, 3 rebounds

For AS Monaco:

Georgios Papagiannis: 13 points, 7 rebounds
Mike James: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
Jordan Loyd: 11 points, 4 assists
Donatas Motiejunas: 8 points, 6 rebounds
Jaron Blossomgame: 6 points
Elie Okobo: 6 points
Matthew Strazel: 5 points

Game Summary:

The game began with a strong three-pointer from Monaco’s Mike James, while Anadolu Efes quickly responded with back-to-back threes by Darius Thompson and Ercan Osmani, taking a 6-3 lead. Vincent Poirier kept Efes competitive, making it 11-10, but Monaco, led by Jaron Blossomgame and Donatas Motiejunas, managed to pull ahead 13-17. The first quarter ended with Efes narrowly in front, 23-22, thanks to a late score by Rolands Smits.

In the second quarter, Monaco took an early lead with scores from Furkan Korkmaz, but Efes responded through Derek Willis and Rolands Smits, reaching a 30-28 advantage. Maintaining a slower pace than the first, the quarter ended with Efes up by five at halftime, 41-36.

In the third quarter, Monaco’s Alpha Diallo led a comeback to put them briefly in front, 45-46. However, Efes regained control with a 6-0 run, extending their lead to 58-48. Heading into the final quarter, Efes was ahead 59-52.

The momentum shifted entirely in the fourth quarter as Monaco opened with a 7-0 run, leveling the score at 59-59. Fueled by a 13-2 surge, they took a 60-61 lead. Anadolu Efes struggled offensively, failing to counter Monaco’s scoring streak led by Mike James, and soon found themselves trailing 63-69. Monaco kept control in the final minutes, securing the victory at 69-81.