By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
After many ups and downs in the new season, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne registered its first victory over TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz 88-86 in Round 7 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. ASVEL returned its duties last week after being idle for three rounds due to COVID-19 infections in the team but fell short to Zalgiris.
A victory of significant importance for ASVEL, since no French club has won a game in Vitoria in the EuroLeague (9 defeats since 1998), with the only victory prior to Thursday being in the Korac Cup, 35 years ago (October 1985).
Moustapha Fall led all scorers of the French team with 19 points on 8-9 FG and five rebounds in 26 minutes. Antoine Diot stepped up with 15 points, 7 assists and 5 boards, while Charles Kahudi also registered 15 points.
ASVEL broke off in the third period where they got ahead with a short lead paced by Fall and managed to resist the hosts’ comeback in the fourth to achieve its first victory through many obstacles.
On the other end of the court, Tonye Jekiri posted a game-high performance of 23 points and 7 rebounds, as Pierria Henry followed with 20 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. Baskonia suffered its second consecutive defeat and falls to a 2-3 record.
Photo: EuroLeague