2015 Eurochallenge Final: Nanterre vs. Trabzonspor

The final of the 2015 Eurochallenge has been set after both Trabzonspor and Nanterre punched their ticket to the title deciding event. The final between the two clubs will take place this Sunday, while the third/fourth placed contest between Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt and Rovinari Targu Jiu is also held that day.

Nanterre booked its place in the 2015 Eurochallenge showpiece with a hard fought win over the Skyliners, but it should have been so much easier for the French club. As for Trabzonspor, the Turkish club eased passed Rovinari to book its apparent date with destiny. That’s because this season’s Final Four has been held in the city or Trabzon, and Trabzonspor Medical Park’s court is being used, making them the home favourites in the title decider. Nanterre will have its work cut out with a partisan Turkish crowd cheering on the hosts.

Nanterre vs. Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt, 84-79.
A classy first quarter from the French club gave them a big 27-18 lead to protect going into the second quarter. In the second frame Nanterre extended to hold a 14 points advantage, but Frankfurt managed to claw and win the period 18-19, making it 45-37 at halftime. The German club continued its momentum to win the third act 19-24, sending the scoreboard to 64-61 through thirty minutes. Nanterre had squandered a huge advantage and looked shaky, but the players showed character in the fourth to edge the frame and take the victory.

Kyle Weems was an ever present threat for the winners as he amassed a game high 25 points and pulled in 6 rebounds. Weems was followed by Jamal Shuler with 18 points and 7 boards, T.J. Campbell with 15 points, and Mouhammadou Jaiteh with 12 points.

Fraport looked to Sean Armand to pace them with 17 points, while Johannes Voightmann added 16 points, Mike Morrison 14 points, and Jacob Burtschi 12 points in the loss.

Trabzonspor Medical Park vs. Energia Targu-Jiu Rovinari, 83-63
Trabzonspor crushed Rovinari in front of its home fans in Turkey to reach the 2015 Eurochallenge final. The club looked in good touch as it put twenty points on the Romanian visitors, including a 22-9 second quarter that handed the Trabzon outfit a 31-39 lead at the midway point. In the third quarter the hosts edged it 18-19 and in the fourth drained 25 points to Rovinari’s 14 to cruise down the straight.

Dwight Hardy was hot at the bucket for the winners as he topped the scoring with 26. Sean Marshall contributed 16 points to the Trabzonspor, while Dee Bost and Novica Velickovic offered 10 apiece.

Giordan Watson tapped 15 points for the losing effort, while Lamont Mack hit 14 points and Nemanja Milosevic nailed 11 points.