Brilliant on his Champions League debut against Kolossos Rhodes, Nolan Traore suffered much more against Pinar Karsiyaka, with a logical defeat (84-74) in Türkiye.
The 18-year-old leader showed his outlook well in the first period, particularly as soon as he had a little space in front of him (10 points, 6 assists and no ball loss before the break). The problem was that Errick McCollum was hot in front, and Saint-Quentin was forced to chase the score all match.
The shots of Jerome Robinson and Giovan Oniangue allowed Julien Mahé's players to get back on track several times, but the Turkish intensity constantly prevented them from believing in the hold-up.
Embarrassed by the two-man holds and the spaces which closed more quickly in the racket, and sometimes also a little too “reckless” in his choices, like this throw-in intercepted at 70-65 in the last quarter- time which ends in an opposing counter-attack, Nolan Traoré suffered in the second half, losing 6 balls.
Next match for Saint-Quentin in the Champions League scheduled for October 29, against Tenerife. To Pierre Ratte.
Photo credit: FIBA
