7DAYS EuroCup Finals: Darussafaka takes 1-0 lead
The series of the 2018 7DAYS EuroCup Finals is underway as the view towards the title took a step closer to fruition. A best of three series tipped off between Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar and Daruassafaka Istanbul on Tuesday, with the second game to take place on Friday. If tied after two games, the deciding third leg of the 7DAYS EuroCup Finals will be held next Monday.
Lokomotiv had home advantage heading into the first leg and the Russian club was also holding a 100% unbeaten record in this competition. Darussafaka headed into the game knowing it would have to snap the best run in the competition’s history if it is to have any chance. As it turns out, the Turkish outfit was up to the task.
Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar vs. Darussafaka Istanbul, 78-81 OT
It was a narrow win, but it was a win all the same. Darussafaka edged Lokomotiv to hand the Russian club its first loss of the European season. Not only that, the Turkish club did it on the road in Krasnodar in the opening game of the 7DAYS EuroCup Finals.
Lokomotiv has been hugely impressive this season, as its 100% record showed before this game. However, of all the games to choose to lose your first game of the campaign, the final is probably the worst. Either way, the Russian team is still in this series but must now claim a win in Istanbul on Friday to tie the series and keep it alive. The atmosphere is sure to be hot and there’s no doubt Darussafaka has done itself a huge favour with this road win. The club knows a win in front of its home fans delivers a first ever international trophy.
There was never much in this contest and after trading buckets in the first quarter, Darussafaka led 15-16. Lokomotiv picked up the momentum in the second quarter and used a 21-16 frame to open a 36-32 lead through the long break. Another tight period followed in the third act, but the visitors used an 18-19 score to close the gap to 52-49 through thirty minutes. In the fourth quarter, Darussafaka continued to stay calm and managed to drain the necessary baskets to tie the game.
Through regulation time, the scoreboard finished locked at 72-72, but Darussafaka had the better of the preceding two quarters. In the deciding stanza, the guests made that momentum count with a game winning 6-9 run.
Scottie Wilbekin was a giant in the win, draining 24 points for Darussafaka. He was followed by Will Cummings with an impressive 19 points and 8 rebounds.
Dmitry Kulagin scored 18 points for the losing effort, while Mardy Collins added 14 points and Chris Babb 13 points.