By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Mike James scored a season-high-tying 28 points to lead AS Monaco past Bayern Munich 91 – 80 on the road. This win No. 9 for Monaco while their opponents fell to 7 – 9.
“Double-game weeks are always tough, playing back-to-back games,” James said. “It was good. We had a little relapse in the third quarter but we fought through. It’s been a long week and we’re happy to get the win to go home.”
Monaco turned the heat on in the second period and went on to lead even by 20, 36 – 56 early in the second half. Bayern had a pretty impressive response with a 24 – 4 run over six minutes το cut the margin to five, making it a game in a flash.
James and Elie Okobo took it on them to put their team back at a double-digit advantage and Alpha Diallo drained a key 3-pointer and then made a pair of free throws as Monaco went ahead 67 – 83 with 3:30 to play. This time the visiting side wouldn’t allow any other comeback attempts.
Okobo added 19 points plus five assists, Diallo scored 13 and John Brown had 12 points.
Bouncing back
Monaco got the job done on the road, compensating for losing earlier this win at home to Panathinaikos.
“We entered the game pretty good,” Monaco coach Sasa Obradovic admitted. “Very focused. We also had a good reaction later on. Really important win after the tough loss to Panathinaikos. Now we have new confidence.”
Sylvain Francisco (21 points) and Carsen Edwards (16 points) were the only Bayern players in double figures.
Serge Ibaka after a streak of big games for Bayern was held to just six points and seven rebounds, while Kemba Walker had five points on 1/5 shots for Monaco after his EuroLeague personal best of 13 in the previous game against Panathinaikos.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net