Bogdanovic brilliance powers Partizan past CSKA

Bogdan Bogdanovic was the hero as Partizan Belgrade stunned CSKA Moscow 73-72 in Euroleague basketball on Friday. Bogdanovic scored 27 points, including two of three free throws in the final minute to clinch victory, as Partizan notched their first win of the Top 16 round of the European club competition. CSKA led by a point at half-time in Belgrade before the hosts fought back to level the scores with a quarter to play at the Kombank Arena. In a to-and-fro final term, Partizan led 65-61 at one stage before the Russian visitors fought back with a pair of free throws from Sonny Weems putting CSKA one point ahead. But with 24 seconds on the clock, CSKA fouled Bogdanovic as he made his ninth three-point attempt of the game and the 21-year-old shooting guard converted twice from the line to secure victory for the home team. Bogdanovic scored 19 points in the final 14 minutes of Friday's game to inspire Partizan's win, while the shooting guard sank four three-pointers and three shots from the free-throw line. Tarence Kinsey was also crucial to Partizan's success with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Nenad Krstic (27 points, seven rebounds) was CSKA's best. The win took Partizan to a 1-2 win-loss record in the Top 16 to sit sixth in Group F, while CSKA (2-1) missed the opportunity to stay with Real Madrid and Maccabi Electra at the top. In Group E, Panathinaikos regained top spot with a 78-64 triumph over Anadolu Efes with Dimitris Diamantidis scoring 17 points and notching nine assists for the victors. Panathinaikos moved above Barcelona in the standings due to their superior points difference with both teams 3-0 in the Top 16. Zoran Dragic scored 24 points as Unicaja Malaga cruised past Fenerbahce 89-75, while Olimpia Milano defeated Laboral Kutxa Vitoria 83-76.