By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Rob Gray scored 25 points on 5-6 3-pointers to push AS Monaco to a 82 – 77 win over Gran Canaria in Game 1 of the best-of-three EuroCup semifinal series. The Monegasque side has an opportunity to advance to the Finals for the first time in history Friday (9/4) in Las Palmas.
Matthew Costello had 22 points and eight rebounds for Gran Canaria that found themselves trailing 44 – 26 at halftime following a powerful 24 – 5 second period by Monaco. The hosts saw their lead getting reduced to single digits in the beginning of the fourth period as Gran Canaria but recovered to make it 63 – 50 with six minutes to play.
Gran Canaria made a comeback attempt and managed to approach 77 – 74 with 12 seconds to play following a triple by Costello. Damien Inglis put Monaco up 81 – 75 and then Slaughter was fouled on a 3-point attempt, making two of his shots and keeping the distance at two possessions.
Mathias Lessort contributed 12 points, eight rebounds and five blocks to Monaco while Dee Bost and Jaleel O’Brien scored 11 apiece.
Tomas Dimsa had 13 points and Slaughter 12 points (3-15 shots) and five rebounds for Gran Canaria.
Photo: EuroCup Basketball