By Stefan Djordjevic / sdjordjevic@eurohoops.net
Casademont Zaragoza found itself among the top four teams in the Basketball Champions League once again and this time around, made a step forward, sealing the third spot with an 89-77 win over SIG Strasbourg.
Dylan Ennis was the main protagonist of the Spanish team with 24 points on 4-7 from deep, nine assists, and five rebounds. Jonathan Barreiro added 16 points and seven rebounds while Nicolas Brussino, Elias Harris, Jacob Wiley scored ten points each.
On the opposing side, Bonzie Colson showed why he earned the season MVP award with 22 points while Jaromir Bohacik followed with 17 and DeAndre Lansdowne with 12 points.
Zaragoza had an upper hand throughout the whole game and the 8-0 run to start off the second half (52-39) was crucial in their efforts to seal the third place, despite Closson sparking a comeback effort for the French (67-63). The 20 points coming off fast breaks and the 48 (compared to Strasbourg’s 32) points in the paint tipped the scales to the Spaniards’ side.
“I am super proud of the fact that we beat the host team on the road”, said Jacob Wiley reflecting into the whole Final 8 experience of Zaragoza.
Coach Luis Casimiro added: “I have to congratulate the players, the club, the fans. I am very happy to be here with the team. It’s an amazing moment. The key in the game was playing smart defense and also controlling the rebounds and our emotions in the last quarter. It’s very important that two years ago we played in the Final Four, now we are third and that’s one more step forward for the club”.
Zaragoza captain Rodrigo San Miguel has also won gold and silver in the BCL as a member of Lenovo Tenerife, however adding the bronze with his home team was special: “It’s true and it’s great to do with the team of the city in which I was born”.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League