SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LA LAGUNA — La Laguna Tenerife defeated Galatasaray 84-83 in the first game of the Basketball Champions League quarterfinals, securing a thrilling home victory that puts them one win away from the Final Four. Head coach Txus Vidorreta's team found their offensive spark in Patty Mills during a contest decided in the final seconds.
La Laguna Tenerife set the pace from the opening tip against Galatasaray in this first quarterfinal matchup of the Basketball Champions League. The Canary Islands team leveraged the experience of their veterans to control the scoreboard for much of the contest.
Patty Mills was the primary offensive force, a mid-season acquisition who finished with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line, leading the black-and-gold attack. Giorgi Shermadini also stood out with 14 points, while Marcelinho Huertas contributed 12 points to maintain La Laguna Tenerife's advantage.
For Galatasaray, the scoring was more evenly distributed. Errick McCollum led the way with 17 points, while James Palmer and John Meeks each added 16 points. Freddie Gillespie also reached double figures with 12 points, keeping the Turkish side competitive throughout this Basketball Champions League quarterfinal series.
Although La Laguna Tenerife dominated large stretches of the game, Galatasaray mounted a response late in the first half and into the second, cutting into the deficit and keeping the scoreboard tight.
The moment that appeared decisive came with four minutes remaining, when La Laguna Tenerife opened up a 82-67 lead, seemingly on the verge of closing out this quarterfinal matchup of the Basketball Champions League.
However, the game had one final dramatic twist in store. Galatasaray engineered a spectacular comeback and, with two three-pointers in the final minute, cut the deficit to 84-83 with just six seconds left.
After a foul on Tim Abromaitis, the La Laguna Tenerife player missed both free throws, giving Galatasaray one last possession to win the game. The responsibility fell to James Palmer, who attempted the game-winning three-pointer, but his shot missed the rim and allowed the Canary Islands team to celebrate a hard-fought victory.
With this win, La Laguna Tenerife takes a 1-0 series lead in the Basketball Champions League quarterfinals, moving one victory away from a Final Four berth. The second game will take place next Wednesday, where Galatasaray will be forced to win to force a decisive third game.