By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Despite trailing for nearly 22 minutes, JDA Dijon dominated the fourth quarter to overcome Maurice Ndour’s season-high and defeat Galatasaray Nef, 80-69, Wednesday evening.
David Holston poured 19 of his team-high 23 points before the break but his lone bucket in the fourth quarterfinal put the Basketball Champions League Round of 16 Gameday 5 contest beyond doubt. Throwing in four assists, four rebounds, and one steal generated a team-high 25 efficiency rating.
Senegalese star Maurice Ndour registered the game-high setting his season-best at 24 points behind 12/13 two-pointers. However, he did not make the cut in keeping the Lions in the hunt for the top spots of Group I leading to the Quarterfinals. DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell tallied 18 points at Dijon’s Palais des Sport Jean-Michel Geoffroy.
After being held to catchup mode for most of the game, La Jeanne took over producing a double-digit lead early in the fourth period. Coming off an overtime loss to MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg a couple of days ago, the visitors were unable to provide a real answer down the stretch.
Robin Ducote chipped in 16 more points as the team guided by Nenad Markovic improved to 3-2. Toni Katic and Joshiko Saibou were not available.
Next week, the French side, 14-8 in its domestic Betclic Elite LNB Pro A, will visit Hapoel U-NET Holon. A potential win would clinch a berth in the Quarterfinals with the loss meaning elimination. The Israeli outfit will be dealing with a similar situation but will manage to advance with a loss at home if Galata beats Ludwigsburg.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League