By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Jaycee Carroll started the game hot by scoring 15 out of the first 19 points of Real Madrid. However, he didn’t have any real help. Valencia was always in control, led by 20 at halftime, and ultimately got the big 89-78 win.
Behind 14 points by Vanja Marinkovic, while shooting 8/14 threes as a team, the hosts got a 55-35 advantage after the first 20 minutes of action and never looked back. Sam Van Rossom with 16 points was the top scorer of the winning side, leading a balanced team effort.
“We are one crazy team but I think this game and the one against CSKA should help us jump as a team, to go higher. Now we have eight crazy days on the road but if we keep playing like this, I think we can make it to the playoffs”, said Marinkovic.
Real Madrid managed to cut the lead to 13 (62-49) in the 24th minute, but the third period ended with the hosts leading again by 19 (71-52). With Carroll finishing the game with 20 points, Madrid tried to mount a comeback in the last quarter, but ultimately the best thing they could do was to cut the final point difference to 11 points.
As Valencia coach Jaume Ponsernau admitted: “We didn’t begin the second half with the best concentration, especially on defense. We had some turnovers on offense, giving Real the opportunity to return to the game. We recovered our concentration, played solid, and won. We are starting a very important cycle of the season in the EuroLeague. Today, it was our first game after working together for five days. For us, it is a very good win. Right now, the most important thing is that all the players are healthy and play with the best mentality in the next games because it is the key moment of the season.”
Valencia has a 13-12 record and remains part of the playoffs race at the 10th position, while Real Madrid – which was missing Rudy Fernandez and Jeffery Taylor – remains fourth in a three-way tie with Bayern Munich and Fenerbahce at 15-10