By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
ASVEL Villeurbanne defeated ALBA Berlin 73 – 68 on the road to register its second EuroLeague win over four games since Gianmarco Pozzecco took over.
In a game with ups and downs for both teams, ASVEL managed to take a 60 – 69 lead with four minutes to play thanks to a bucket by Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. ALBA, that was up 55 – 48 at the end of the third period, responded with an 8-0 run but remained scoreless in the last 1:33. David Lighty drained a pair of free throws in the last four seconds to put the French side at a 5-point distance and secure the win.
Luwawu-Cabarrot finished with 19 points and five assists to lead the ASVEL offense overall while Nando De Colo scored 16 points over 17:21, Youssoupha Fall posted 14 points and 11 rebounds and Paris Lee contributed 12 points plus five assists.
“We never fell apart. We stuck together and that’s the main key,” Luwawu-Cabarrot said. “I’m feeling pretty comfortable… As long as we play like that we’ll all feel comfortable game after game ” he added on his performance.”
Pozzecco giving TJ Parker his credit
“I came here one month ago and they were very frustrated. They weren’t happy because of the results but they played good also with TJ Parker,” Pozzecco said, giving credit also to the coach he succeeded. “We never give up. Even when De Colo went out, these brought up the team spirit of the guys and the played great defense.”
Johannes Thiemman was the only ALBA player in double figures with 16 points. The German team now has the worst record in EuroLeague at 1-7. “Congratulations to ASVEL,” said ALBA coach Israel Gonzalez. “We have to stay with the team. Believe in them, believe in us and go for the next.”