FIBA Basketball

    No winner at MartiniPlaza: Donar and Oostende level after first leg

    GRONINGEN (Netherlands) - A game-tying and-one by Teddy Gipson put the tie between Donar Groningen and Filou Oostende back to square one, with the sides tipping off the Play-Offs with a 66-66 draw.

    GRONINGEN (Netherlands) - A game-tying and-one by Teddy Gipson put the tie between Donar Groningen and Filou Oostende back to square one, with the sides tipping off the Play-Offs with a 66-66 draw at the MartiniPlaza on Tuesday.

    Turning point: Up by three points at 66-63, the visitors from Belgium had the chance to hold the ball until the final buzzer but Chase Fieler had his jump shot blocked by Gipson, who proceeded to convert a game-tying and-one on the other end of the floor a few moments later.

    Game hero: Teddy Gipson left a bigger mark on the game than just the two clutch plays on both ends of the court, finishing the contest as Donar's leading scorer with 13 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and, of course, what proved to be a game-saving block.

    Stats don't lie: Having out-rebounded the hosts 35-26, Oostende registered 12 second-chance points in the game, while Groningen failed to open their tally in this stats category altogether.

    Bottom line: The big mental lapse by his team in the decisive part of the contest comes after Oostende failed to qualify for the Basketball Champions League Play-Offs in similarly heart-breaking fashion.

    They said: "We opened the game poorly without focus and concertation – a lot of turnovers and missed lay ups. You cannot play against Donar like that, especially because they are motivated. We bounced back, but not enough. The momentum where maybe we could do something, we turned the ball over again. We were struggling all game. At the end, I think we blew up. The game is tied and it's not going to be easy next week." – Oostende head coach Dario Gjergja

    "It was very nice to be back, the reception I received during the announcement was incredible. It was great to see a lot of familiar faces – around the gym, in the stands and, obviously, on the other team." – Oostende forward Chase Fieler

    "It was a hard-fought game for both teams, which we expected. They have a really good ball club. I think we did a good job of playing at a high level, which is what we work for every day. As far as the last [play], I knew the shot clock was running out and he had to take the shot. I left my feet a little early to block the shot. We were short on time, so it was just a reaction. It's just the first half of the game. It's good to keep it close. Going to Belgium, we gave ourselves a fighting chance." – Donar guard Teddy Gipson

    "We had a good start, we were fighting from the start. Also because of our defense, not only because of our offense. For the most part, we were controlling the game but we couldn't get a lead too much. Especially in the fourth quarter, when we had a five-point lead in the fourth quarter but didn't score for five minutes. That leaves a lot of desired and to be better at. We tested each other, we know a little bit more about each other. It was a really nice test for us." – Donar head coach Erik Braal

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