By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
In what came out as Vojtech Hruban’s historic night, becoming the first-ever player to score at least 1000 points in the history of the Basketball Champions League, Cholet Basket celebrated by grabbing its first victory of the season, beating VEF Riga 74-73.
The Gerald Ayayi-Emmanuel Nzekwesi duo led the French team in scoring, combining for 31 points and 8 rebounds in the club’s victory against the Latvians. This was also another impressive night for the 18-year-old upcoming gem Tidjane Salaun, who finished with 8 points. T.J. Campbell, instead, went close to a double-double with 9 points and 11 assists, leading the red-and-white offense.
On the losing side, instead, the 38-year-old veteran Maris Gulbis tried to keep his team afloat with a 23-point showdown, shooting 8/10 from the field and 4/5 from beyond the arc. He was followed by Arnaldo Toro Barea, who powered up the guests with 11 points and 8 rebounds.
Despite VEF Riga’s comeback attempt, tying the game at 74-74 in the very last minute of the game after Maris Gulbis banked in from deep, the Latvian side couldn’t make it. Losing the ball 22 times may have caused more problems than usual, suffering 30 points from turnovers.
Moreover, the controversy came out before OT could start, as it appeared VEF Riga was awarded one point more than what they actually capitalized after missing two free throws during the game. In the end, the score was brought back to 74-73, and Cholet won the encounter.
After this win, Cholet Basket reached Lenovo Tenerife at 3 points in Group C, right behind the unbeaten Darussafaka, who previously beat the Canarian side on Tuesday. VEF Riga, instead, remains at the bottom, winless.
PHOTO CREDIT: Basketball Champions League