Malik Hairston stars as EA7 Emporio Armani overpower Fenerbahce Ulker 85-72 - Euroleague Recap
EA7 Emporio Armani, at one time, never looked like they would even make it to the top 16 of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague 2011-12. However they not only managed that, but are on the verge of making it to the top 8 as well.
Had they held their nerves in the ending moments of an earlier game against Ulker, they would already have qualified to the quarter finals. Although they are out of top eight now, but on Wednesday night, they ensured that the team which beat them earlier does not make it either.
In a must win game for Fenerbahce, the Italians battered the Turkish 85-72, to end the Ulker’s Euroleague 2011-12 and ensure they end their season in a stylish manner.
Malik Hairston was the main difference between both teams tonight. He was phenomenal and marshalled the Emporio with a game high 27 points on a healthy 11 for 16 from the floor.
"There is a little regret for our elimination, but we finished our Euroleague season well with a very good performance, and I'm also happy for my game. I think we're growing game-by-game as a team, and tonight we beat a very strong team with a lot of motivation. We worked hard on defence, and also on the offensive side everybody did his job well, allowing teammates to get open shots, and this made the difference."
Alessandro Gentile tallied 12 points on 2 for 2 from downtown while Omar Cook and Ernest Bremer both recorded 10 points each.
Armani were accurate with their shooting and knocked down 58.5% from the floor.
Emir Preldzic led the Ulker with 15 points whereas Bojan Bogdanovic sealed 14 points. Roko Ukic and James Gist both accumulated 12 points apiece.
The first 19 minutes of the game were intense as both teams put up a good show. Ulker were very much in the game, behind by only 2 points, 39-41 and game was heading to an exciting third frame, however in the last minute of the second quarter, Armani changed gears and rattled a 5-1 spurt, capped by Malik’s layup to turn the game in their favour at 46-40.
Carrying on the momentum in to the third frame, Armani boosted the lead from 6 points to 10 points, 54-44, midway through the quarter. Ulker failed to slash the deficit and by the end of the period, found themselves trailing behind by 11 points, 55-66.
At the start of the final stanza, Emporio iced the game, as the lead mounted to 14 points 70-56. The way Ulker were playing, a comeback looked completely out of question and the Azzurri giants walked away with a win.
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