By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Elie Okobo scored 27 points for a season-high, Mike James added 17 points plus seven assists and Monaco was clicking in the second half for an easy win over LDLC ASVEL.
The final score was 103-92 as Monaco improved to a 7-4 record and the losing side dropped to 3-8.
Okobo also had five assists, three steals, and only one turnover, Jaron Blossomgame had 14 points, the duo of Matthew Strazel, and Alpha Diallo scored 12 points each, and Jordan Loyd added 10.
It was the first win of interim coach Manuchar Markoishvili, who took over after the dismission of Sasa Obradovic.
“We lost our coach, we have to bounce back, regroup, be happy for the next guy, play together, and fight”, admitted Okobo after the game.
“I am happy I had this opportunity and this is a day I will not forget”, added coach Markoishvili after his first-ever EuroLeague win as a coach.
Theo Maledon had a great first half, but he wasn’t a factor in the second, finishing the night with 24 points and eight assists. Mbaye Ndiaye added 18 for ASVEL.
Okobo and James deciding the game
ASVEL got an early nine-point lead (19-10) with Theo Maledon already having 10 points. Monaco reacted and trimmed the lead to two (22-20) with Okobo scoring 10 points, but Charles Kahudi made it a five-point game (25-20) at the end of the first period.
Monaco finally tied the score at 34 after a goal foul by Okobo, Maledon gave ASVEL the lead back (36-34) and closed the first half with the score being 40-38 in their favor.
However, Monaco started the second half with a 10-0 run (48-40). Mike James scored seven of those points and suddenly the whole momentum changed.
ASVEL trimmed the lead to two (51-49) but couldn’t get back into striking distance after that, as Monaco built a 14-point advantage (75-61) and closed the third quarter up by 11 (75-64).
With Okobo scoring at will, Monaco led by 15 (89-74) and then by 18 (92-74) after a three by Jordan Loyd.
Photo credit: EuroLeague