Vesely shadows splendid Mike James' performance, helps Fenerbahce to end their wins' drought / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (4-9) prevailed AS Monaco (5-8) 96-86 (16-18, 24-24, 23-21, 33-23) to skid their 4 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games losing streak.

Player of the Game EFF 32 Jan Vesely Points 20 Accuracy 7-11 Rebounds 10 Assists 5

Achille Polonara scored a two-pointer, Pierria Henry added a trey. Fenerbahce started the fourth quarter on a high note with a mini 5-0 spurt (68-63). Mike James hit a long three to terminate the hosts' success (66-68).

Nevertheless, Devin Booker, Pierria Henry, and Achille Polonara organized a 15-5 run to give their team a solid 12-point advantage (83-71) with 4:03 to go.

However, Mike James was not ready to give up. He scored a couple of baskets in a row to cut Monaco's deficit to 4 points (79-83) with 2:30 to play.

Moments later, however, Monaco got an unsportsmanlike foul. Jan Vesely scored one point from the line, while Marko Guduric converted the long three-pointer over Mike James' hands (87-79).

Nando De Colo added another three (90-79) with 1:25 on the clock. Monaco came back within 6 points (84-90), but Henry converted both free throws to seal the deal (92-84).

"I like one number, assists," Sasa Djordjevic said after the game. "It means that we played together, as always. But I don't like the turnovers, unforced errors. I believe we must take care of the ball. That's the key, at this level especially."

"The team reacted really well, was really focused. Defensively we were focused even when we saw that Mike James had an unbelievable first half. In the end, he tried to get back with his legs that are unique, we knew it, but we all managed to play and get the win. It's a good win for us," Djordjevic added.

Jan Vesely was outstanding for Fener, registering 20 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 32 PIR.

Mike James had the best game this season, posting 31 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 33 PIR for Monaco.

"We don't talk about the position of Fenerbahce, but when you have the talented players, and they score 6 of 7 (three-pointers), 33 points in the last quarter, it's very difficult to play," Zvezdan Mitrovic noted.

"We fought during the game. We had a close game and we tried a couple of times to catch Fenerbahce, to be close, but in the end, they definitely destroyed us. Our defense is going down. This is our problem. Everybody knows this," he concluded.

Fenerbahce: Jan Vesely 20 (7/11 2PT, 10 REB, 32 PIR), Marko Guduric 18 (4/6 3PT), Nando De Colo 15 (3/4 3PT), Pierria Henry 13 (3/3 3PT, 6 REB, 6 AST, 5 STL, 25 PIR), Devin Booker 11 (3/6 2PT), Achille Polonara 11.

Monaco: Mike James 31 (5/8 2PT, 5/11 3PT, 33 PIR), Yakuba Ouattara 15 (3/7 3PT, 6 REB), Alpha Diallo 10.

Highlights

Mike James's highlights:

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