ASVEL tops Zenit in a ‘thriller’ – Group D Recap

By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net

Group D’s Day 3, of the 7Days Eurocup, concluded tonight with ASVEL Villeurbanne’s win over Zenit St. Petersburg. Ratiopharm Ulm and Tofas Bursa also got wins.

Ulm defeated Herbalife Gran Canaria 97-87 at home and improved their record to 2-1 while Gran Canaria fell to 1-2. The first half was competitive with both teams challenging its other. In the second half, the home team took control of the game, made some tough shots and in the fourth quarter even increased their lead to double digits which also lasted until the final buzzer. Per Guenther led the way for the winners with his 21 points.

Tofas Bursa was really impressive in Italy as they got a tough 88-91 on the road victory against Dolomiti Energia Trento. Since the first quarter, the home side was up by as many as nine points and held that lead until the fourth quarter. The visitors, however, had an incredible fourth quarter (16-28) and came back to defeat Trento in the final minutes of the game. This marks Tofas’ second win of the season.

In France, ASVEL picked up an important and close 88-85 win at home against a hard-nosed Zenit squad to improve their record to 2-1. The game was competitive throughout the 40 minutes, but at the end of the third quarter, the visitors built a small lead to begin the crucial final 10 minutes.

In the fourth quarter, the visitors even increased their lead to 10 points (71-81) (36:00), but ASVEL came back. Finally, the game was decided in the final minute with the home team making clutch shots and free throws down the stretch. John Roberson led the way for the French team with his 26 points. AJ Slaughter added 17.

Day 3 – Group D Standings: