Strasbourg strikes first in Eurocup Finals

Strasbourg came from behind to beat Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul 66-62 Friday in Game 1 of the Eurocup Finals, but must protect the slim margin in the return leg in Turkey to complete its mission. Galatasaray hosts Game 2 of the two-game total-points series on Wednesday in Istanbul. The visitors led much of the way, but a Louis Campbell triple pushed Strasbourg ahead three minutes into the fourth quarter and Matt Howard scored 8 points in the final five-and-a-half minutes, including 4 in a key 8-1 run as Strasbourg built an 8-point cushion. Galatasaray halved the margin in the final minute. Campbell recoded 5 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in the fourth quarter and finished a brilliant night with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Howard and Jeremy Leloup added 11 points each for Strasbourg. Vladimir Micov paced Galatasray with 17 points, Blake Schilb posted 12 points and 8 rebounds and Chuck Davis came off the bench for 11 points, including the basket that sent him into second place on the Eurocup’s career scoring charts. Stephane Lasme provided defensive muscle with 7 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals.