BC FMP managed to hang onto an agonizing win at home against previously undefeated Strasbourg at home by one single point, 79-78. With this result, FMP is the new co-leader of Group B with a 3-1 record, just the same as Strasbourg. With a 78-76 score and seconds to go, Chuck Eidson hit 2 free throws for Strasbourg to tie at 78-78. However, Michael Smith fouled Aleksandar Rasic, who managed to hit 1 of his 2 free throws, and on the last play, Eidson missed the triple that could have given Strasbourg the win. Branko Cvetkovic led FMP with 18 points in 23 minutes. Zoran Erceg added 15, Dragan Labovic 11 and Bojan Krstovic 10 for the winners. Eidson led all scorers with 21 points in 26 minutes, while Afik Nissim added 16, Michael Smith and Aerick Sanders 10 apiece for Strasbourg.
Labovic opened fire for FMP, while Nemanja Protic and Krstovic soon followed suit to send the hosts up by 6-0 after 3 minutes. Lonnie Cooper of Strasbourg hit three.pointer to start a chain in which Labovic answered for FMP, Nissim hit another for the guests and Krstovic answered for the hosts FMP to leave a 12-6 scoreboard. Nissim and Protic traded shorter jumpers now before Darrigand Gauthier added yet another more triple for Strasbourg. Predrag Samardziski came in as a sub to score 3 points on free throws and Krstovic hit the last in a parade of first-quarter bombs from the arc to leave FMP up 20-16. Nissim wasn't ready to see it end, so started the second quarter with a triple, too. Sanders scored free throws and Dirk Madrich dunked as Strasbourg finished a 2-9 run by seizing a 22-25 advantage. Milos Teodosic managed to stop FMP's slide and start a run for the hosts with a bomb from downtwon. By the time it was done, when Cvetkovic scored on a break, FMP had a 17-5 run and was leading again by 39-30. Strasbourg answered with another three-pointer from Smith and a layup from Cooper but FMP still led 41-35 at the break.
 Claude Marquis opened second half with layup for the guests and Krstovic answered the same way. For the next 4 minutes, however, both teams were scoreless and forcing a lot of turnovers. Erceg finally hit a jumper for hosts but otherwise FMP had many problems under the rims. Eidson hit his second triple now as Strasbourg took a 45-47 lead. FMP answered with 5-0 run but Nissim cut the difference to 50-49. Erceg responded with another triple and Cvetkovic a layup forcing Strasbourg's bench to call timeout as the hosts led 55-49. Strasbourg now pushed back with 4 fast points to come within 56-55, but Cvetkovic continued his scoring streak and FMP led 60-55 after 30 minutes. Smith opened the final quarter for Strasbourg with a pair of shots from downtown that made it a new game, 62-61, and then Eidson gave the visitors the lead again. Labovic took it back with free throws and then Rasic scored his first points. Eidson balanced it with 3 points for Strasbourt but Erceg with a jumper and Cvetkovic with another bomb gave FMP 72-70 lead with 3 minutes left. Strasbourg tried a small lineup, however, Erceg soon reemerged with another three-point stroke to make it 78-74 with 2 minutes left. Eidson again brought Strasbourg back, hitting the free throws to tie 78-78 and give FMP the ball with 13 seconds left. Smith fouled Rasic who scored 1 of 2 at the line and when Eidson missed, there was one fewer undefeated team in the ULEB Cup.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Aca Ostojic, Belgrade
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