Qualifying Round B, first-leg report: Eclipse MyGuide 66-60 BC FMP
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 Teddy Gipson scored 22 points and Orien Greene had a fine overall game as MyGuide Amsterdam clinched a 66-60 victory at home over BC FMP in the first of their two-game elimination series in the Eurocup qualifying round. Greene chipped in 14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals for the winning side from Holland. Avis Wyatt also proved crucial in the win with 9 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Amsterdam did a great job holding onto the ball, committing only 10 turnovers in the game. FMP meanwhile lost 18 turnovers and swiped just two steals in wasting a 21 point showing from Dragan Labovic. Miroslav Raduljica also had a strong game with 12 point and 12 rebounds. The Serbian team made just 19-of-29 (65%) free throws and would be well served to improve on that in next week's decider.
Labovic scored the first five points of the game but Amsterdam answered with the next six for its first lead. Gipson's three-ball opened a 14-11 cushion for the hosts only to see Labovic score again and Raduljica's basket gave FMP back the lead. Amsterdam, however, was ahead 19-17 after one period. Nemanja Protic's triple pushed FMP back in front to start the period. The guests then went more than six minutes without a score as Amsterdam surged ahead 27-20. And Wyatt's three-ball made it 30-21. Greene twice pushed the gap to 10 points, including a three-pointer to make it 37-27 at the break.
Filip Covic opened the scoring in the second half and was matched by Wyatt. The hosts' lead was still 41-31 after Gipson's jumper four minutes into the quarter. Labovic hit four straight points to trim the deficit to 41-37. But Tamien Trent and Gipson answered with back-to-back triples and Gipson hit from long range again in 14-5 run which helped Amsterdam lead 55-45 going into the fourth. Raduljica twice scored to trim the margin to six points - the second time to 57-51. And Predrag Samardziski's layup made it just 59-56. But Gipson stepped up once again by answering right back with a three-ball. And then he made two of three foul shots as the lead was 66-58 with less than two minutes left. Andreja Milutinovic and Covic combined for three free throws down the stretch but it was not enough.
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Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Eurocupbasketball.com
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