Tall Blacks Isaac Fotu and Tai Webster locked horns in EuroCup action overnight in Istanbul where Fotu’s Ratiopharm Ulm visited Webster’s Galatasaray.
When the two teams met back in October it was the German club that prevailed in overtime (103-92) but on Wednesday it was the hosts that came out on top winning 77-69 in regulation.
Despite the win it wasn’t a game that will live long in Webster’s memory. The Kiwi point guard entered the contest averaging 13.8 points and 5 assists per game but, restricted by foul trouble, managed just 2 points and 3 assists in this one – fouling out in just under 19 minutes.
Fotu led the Ulm rebounding count with 7 boards and also added 9 points but it wasn’t enough to stave off defeat.
Both clubs have a 3-4 record with three games to play in Group A of the Eurocup. The top 4 teams in each pool progress to the last sixteen and it would appear that both clubs will need to win two of their final three games to be sure of progressing.
With both players missing the Tall Blacks World Cup Qualifiers in Christchurch and Wellington at the end of the month it will likely be February before the two get together again when the New Zealand team travels to Lebanon and Jordan.
LACEY LOWDOWN 