By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With large team effort and rock-solid defense Valencia defeated Unicaja Malaga 78 – 70 on the road, remaining perfect in Group H of the EuroCup Top 16. Meanwhile, the Andalusian team suffered its first defeat in the stage.
Coach Martinez’s players worked in unison on offense finishing the match with 20 assists, as Will Thomas scored 15 points, Joan Sastre added 13 and Romain Sato 10.
Jamar Smith dropped 17 and Adam Waczynski 11 for Malaga that was completely shut down in the second half where it managed only 22 (!) points. Less than what it has scored in the first period.
That’s how Valencia recovered from the 48 – 41 halftime deficit, assuming a double-digit lead at the end of the third quarter and then preserving an advantage until the final minutes.
The hosts approached 70 – 75 with one minute to go, but Sastre KO-ed them with a downtown basket for the 70 – 78.