By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
While it seemed like we could have a sequel to the epic battle between Gran Canaria and ASVEL that closed the EuroCup regular season, Jamar Smith wasn’t in a mood to go home late.
With 21 seconds remaining in overtime, the American guard hit the go-ahead jumper helping Unics Kazan beat the French squad 88 – 84 in the teams’ Top16 opener.
AJ Slaughter (17 points) who was one of the key characters behind ASVEL’s comeback from a 14-point deficit (65-51) in the fourth period slipped on the other end and the game was over after 2/2 from the line by Anton Ponkrashov.
Ponkrashov was the star of his team with a double/double of 14 points and 11 assists, including the dime to Smith for the key shot near the end of the extra period. Stephane Lasme and Quino Colom scored 15 each while Melvin Ejim added 11 points plus 7 rebounds.
John Roberson had 20 points, 7 assists and 4 steals for ASVEL.
Yesterday for Group H, Reggio Emilia prevailed over Limoges at home.