Trabzonspor opened its Basketball Champions League Group A campaign with a 93-83 overtime victory against France’s Nanterre 92 at the Hayri Gür Sports Hall, recovering from a late deficit to secure the win after a 76-76 tie in regulation, as reported.
Hayri Gür Arena Atmosphere Sets the Stage for Opening Night
European boxing champion Havvanur Kethüda appeared at center court at the end of the first quarter to greet supporters, adding to the atmosphere inside the Hayri Gür Sports Hall. The arena hosted officials including Polish referee Wojciech Liszka, Belgian referee Geert Jacobs, and Croatian referee Branimir Galic, according to Habertürk records.
Scoring Momentum Shifts Across Regulation Quarters
Nanterre 92 opened the scoring through Len Donta Scott and surged to an 8-1 lead behind Hugo Yimga-Moukouri and Xavier Castaneda, holding a 10-5 advantage midway through the opening period. Trabzonspor responded through Tillman and Terry, though the French visitors claimed the first quarter 19-18. In the second quarter, Canaan sparked a Trabzonspor surge to take a 21-20 lead at the 12th minute.
Trabzonspor extended its advantage in the third quarter, using outside shooting from Manek and inside baskets from Tillman to build an 11-point lead at 58-47 by the 27th minute. Despite an offensive push from Nanterre’s Johannes Schoormann, the Turkish side maintained a 64-54 lead heading into the final frame. Nanterre clawed back in the fourth quarter through McGlockton and Schoormann, eventually regaining the lead at 72-74 courtesy of a basket by Scott with two minutes remaining in regulation. Keene answered for Trabzonspor, and the teams finished tied at 76-76 after 40 minutes.
Overtime Period Secures Group A Triumph
Box scores compiled by Habertürk showed Keene leading Trabzonspor with 24 points, followed by Arslan with 15 points, while Tillman contributed 11 points and Terry 12 points. For Nanterre, Scott led the visitors with 15 points, Benjamin Sene added 13, and Schoormann and Castaneda chipped in 10 points apiece.
Foul Trouble and Rotation Dynamics
Physical play caught up with both frontcourts late in regulation. Habertürk match records confirmed that Trabzonspor forward Tillman fouled out with 39:01 on the clock, while Nanterre center Mitchell Saxen fouled out with 57 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter at 39:57. The rotations tested both benches during the high-tempo encounter.
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