By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A brilliant defensive effort helps Benfica secure yet another win, 84-71, against VEF Riga Tuesday evening.
Latvian sharpshooter Kristers Zoriks presented the biggest threat. With 24 points over the first three quarters, he was one point away from a career-high showing but was silenced through the fourth of the Basketball Champions League Regular Season Gameday 5 contest. The Portugal champions pulled away en route to the 4-1 record in Group F.
For the winning side guided by Norberto Alves, Tunisian Makrem Ben Romdhane and Aaron Broussard shared a team-high 18 points. Experienced point guard and former NBA player, Toney Douglas, chopped in 13 more points in the convincing win at Pavilhao Fidelidade.
Ninth win in a row across all competitions for the Eagles. The most recent step was sweeping the home-and-away series opposite VEF Riga, part of the double-legged round-robin schedule to determine which teams advance directly to the Round of 16, get a second chance in the best-of-three Play-In Round, or exit. Playing host to Limoges CSP is the Gameday 6 affair with the top seed and a Play-In berth in the balance.
Bumping into Benfica’s defense, the team coached by Janis Gailitis surrendered 21 points off 19 turnovers. Being outscored 44-20, in the paint, was another issue attached to the latest struggles on the road. The 11th loss in a row away from Latvia in the Champions League, with only two wins in 20 road games. Another piece of bad news was VEF Riga being eliminated from contention for a spot in the Play-Ins later in the evening.
In Lisbon, Daniel Hamilton and Ilja Gromovs were both sidelined for the Vefins.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League