By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
It wasn’t easy and Monaco blew a 16-point lead, but in the end, got the big 79-74 win despite shooting 6/26 threes.
Alpha Diallo scored 18 points, Elie Okobo and Mike James had 15 points each but in the end, it was Jordan Loyd who sealed the deal with two free throws and a total of eight points, five rebounds, and three steals.
“It’s a great road win, Partizan played their ass off, but we played defense and we have closers on our teams”, said Diallo.
Iffe Lundberg and Carlik Jones scored 15 points each for the home side, but it was not enough.
Monaco now has a 4-2 record and Partizan is the exact opposite at 2-4.
Decided on free throws
The game started with Monaco closing the first period up by two (23-21) and jumping to a 16-point advantage (46-30) just before the end of the first half with Iffe Lundberg scoring to trim the lead to 13 (46-33).
Nothing clicked for Partizan, while Monaco was dominating but this changed in the third period.
The hosts reacted and managed to tie the score at 56 with a Mario Nakic’s shot. Monaco reacted swiftly, closing the quarter with a three by Alpha Diallo and a five-point lead (61-56).
Still, Partizan continued the push and finally got the 62-61 lead with Tyrique Jones scoring. Monaco had the answer again, a 9-0 run (70-62). However, with three minutes left the score was tied again at 70.
With the game on the line, Mike James missed a three, but Mam Jaiteh took the offensive rebound, James got the ball, drew the defense, and passed to Diallo who made the score 72-70. It was not enough,
Lundberg with a three in the next possession gave Partizan the 73-72 lead with one minute left. Okobo answered back making a contested shot (74-73) for the 11th lead change. Isaac Bonga missed the next shot for Partizan and Mike James made his and got fouled, but missed the free throw (76-73) with 21 seconds left.
Monaco fouled Lundberg almost immediately, he made one free throw (76-74) and Jordan Loyd got the rebound and also got fouled, 11 seconds before the final buzzer. He made both free throws (78-74) and iced the game.
Photo credit: EuroLeague