Kevin Punter sinks 3 crucial pull-ups in a row to help Partizan prevail Joventut in last seconds thriller / News - Basketnews.com

Partizan NIS Belgrade (3-0) edged out Joventut Badalona (2-1) 68-67 (19-17, 15-22, 15-20, 18-8) to stay perfect in the 2021-22 7DAYS EuroCup campaign. Partizan took advantage of the hot and electrifying Belgrade's atmosphere.

Player of the Game EFF 17 Kevin Punter Points 18 Accuracy 8-13 Rebounds 3 Assists 0

Joel Parra increased Joventut's lead to 3 points with two successful free throws (65-62). Kevin Punter answered with a jumper (64-65). Ante Tomic got an offensive foul with 39 seconds to go, while Kevin Punter knocked down a big pull-up to give a one-point lead for Partizan (66-65). 28 seconds were left on the clock.

Pau Ribas managed to answer with a two-pointer for Joventut (67-66) with 12 seconds to play. Kevin Punter continued his cold-blooded solo performance, hitting another jumper (68-67) and leaving 4 seconds for Joventut's answer. Partizan got a critical stop, Joventut were forced to make a foul. Aleksa Avramovic missed both free throws but it was not enough time left for rational Joventut's attack.

Partizan started the last 10 minutes with an 8-0 push to reduce the deficit to two points (57-59). Joventut could not score the basket in the first four and a half minutes of the fourth period.

Ante Tomic broke the silence with one free throw from the charity stripe (60-57). He further initiated his team's offense and Joventut were in front by 6 (63-57). However, Zach LeDay scored a two-pointer and Alen Smailagic added a shot from deep (62-63) with 2:18 to play.

Joventut created a double-digit lead in the third quarter. After Pep Busquets two-pointer, Ante Tomic free throws, and Joel Parra trey, Joventut led by 11 points (54-43).

The Spanish powerhouse maintained a double-digit advantage (59-49), going into the decisive period.

For the winners, Kevin Punter posted 18 points (6/8 2PT, 2/5 3PT), 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 drawn fouls, and 17 PIR.

Zach LeDay added 13 points (4/9 2PT, 1/3 3PT, 2/3 FT), 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and the same 17 PIR.

Joel Parra led the route for Joventut, registering 15 points (1/3 2PT, 2/5 3PT, 7/8 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 5 drawn fouls, and 15 PIR.

Partizan: Kevin Punter 18, Zach LeDay 13 (6 REB), Dallas Moore 8, Alen Smailagic 7 (3 REB, 3 AST), Rodions Kurucs 7.

Joventut: Joel Parra 15, Derek Willis 11 (4 REB), Ante Tomic 10 (8 REB, 3 AST, 6 TO), Pau Ribas 8 (9 AST), Vladimir Brodziansky 7.

Kevin Punter's clutch plays

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