Partizan dominate fourth to defeat Besiktas

BELGRADE (Basketball Champions League) - Partizan held Besiktas Somo Japan to just seven points in the fourth quarter to pull out an 86-71 win over the group leaders.

It was just the second loss of the season for Besiktas, as Novica Velickovic scored 20 points in just 24 minutes for the hosts, and William Hatcher had 14, including the dagger three in the fourth quarter, along with 7 assists.

"That was a great victory for us today," said Hatcher.

"It was something that we really needed, something that we really wanted. We try to pride ourselves on winning games at home and just fighting and I think that's what we did today.

"It was close throughout the game until the fourth quarter. I thought our defence was good, holding them to 7 in the quarter was the key to the game."

Neither team could gain an edge until the final period, as both sides traded blows throughout the contest, which was played in front of a raucous crowd.

A Vladimir Stimac shot to tie the game at 66 with 30 seconds into the fourth quarter was as close as Besiktas would get the rest of the way, as Partizan reeled off a 12-0 run in response, to give them enough of a cushion to improve to 5-4 in Group E.

"Congratulations to Partizan," said Besiktas forward Kyle Weems.

"They played very good, they out-hustled us the second half and the fourth quarter they were good. It's disappointing for us, but our season goes on, we have a tough game in the Turkish league on Saturday and another chance to redeem ourselves from tonight next Wednesday, I believe against AEK."


Earl Clark had 17 points for Besiktas, Stimac had 15 and DJ Strawberry 10.

Stefan Bircevic added 12 points for Partizan.