By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes found a way in the final seconds and grabbed a 90-89 win in Villeurbane against LDLC Asvel after 40 minutes of tight battle.
Will Clyburn was the hero, with two converted free throws with 5,5 seconds on the clock for the win. The experienced US player was also the top scorer of the winning side with 20 points.
“We are at the last part of the season; every win is important. We needed the road win to boost morale and get ready for the next one. The coach did a great job keeping everybody in game shape and mentally ready,” Clyburn said after the game.
Shane Larkin followed him with 16, Elijah Bryant added 14, and Rodrigue Beaubois 12 points in Anadolu Efes’ 12th victory of the season. Vasilije Micic didn’t play for Ergin Ataman’s team.
“We spent our chance to break the game in the middle of the last quarter. De Colo is a great offensive player; it’s not easy to defend Fall under the basket… This season we lost many games in overtime, many games like this one, but tonight the ball was on our side, and we found a way to win. I’m happy that the people in our country can be happy for this victory, even for one instance,” Ergin Ataman said at the press conference.
ASVEL gave a great effort and was on the verge of victory, but couldn’t contain Clyburn in the decisive moments, as Nando De Colo led the way for the hosts with 20 points.
Youssiupha Fall followed with 15 points as the only other player in double digits for T.J. Parker’s team.
“I’m really proud of the guys. The whole game plan offensively was good; we played good team basketball. It was perfect. Defensively you have to live with some of the shots they made, really, really tough shots. In the end, it was a close game; we were right there to win it,” T.J. Parker stated after his team’s 17th defeat in the EuroLeague.