Barcelona wins against Besiktas 72-60

FC Barcelona Regal took the showdown between undefeated teams in Group D by downing Besiktas JK Istanbul 72-60 at home on Thursday. Barcelona is now tied with CSKA for first place at 3-0, with Besiktas right behind at 2-1. Nate Jawai scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds to lead the winners, while Ante Tomic, Pete Mickeal and Marcelinho Huertas added 11 points apiece. Huertas and Erazem Lorbek shined early to give Barcelona a 16-7 lead. An outstanding Curtis Jerrells brought Besiktas within 20-18 after 10 minutes. A tip-in by Baris Hersek completed Besiktas' comeback, 24-26. Sarunas Jasikevicius rescued Barcelona and a jumper by C.J. Wallace gave the hosts a 36-34 halftime edge. An 8-0 run that Tomic capped with a free throw made it a double-digit game, 52-42. Besiktas managed to get within 62-57 with three minutes to go but Jawai and Huertas were too strong in crunch time and kept Barcelona out of trouble until the final buzzer. Jerrells paced Besiktas with 18 points and Damir Markota added 10 in defeat.