By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Banco di Sardegna Sassari didn’t have much luck on the road in the Basketball Champions League lately, but that changed in Ludwigsburg.
The Italian team entered the Round 3 match with a 1-9 record away from home in the last 10 games in the competition, and 0-2 in the new season overall, but defeated MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg 79-89, to improve to 1-2 and tie with the German side.
Piero Bucchi’s team dominated on the rebounds with 14 more than the hosts (43-29), mostly thanks to Alfonzo McKinnie’s double-double of 13 points and 12 boards (five offensive), but Stephane Gombauld was the key to Sassari’s win with 18 points and nine rebounds, and a game-high PIR of 30, shooting 7/9 from the field.
Breein Tyree followed with 14 points, while Kaspar Treier and Stanley Whittaker had 11 points each.
For the losing side, Jayvon Graves had a great offensive performance, scoring 22 points on 10/18 shooting, recording five rebounds and assists for a PIR of 25. He stood out, but only Yorman Polas with 15 and Jaren Lewis with 11 points followed suit.
The hosts opened the match in dominant fashion, grabbing a 10-2 opening lead, but Sassari woke up in time to turn the score around before the first break. After a brief change of lead in the first moments of the second period, guests took control with a 10-0 run and never looked back. Ludwigsburg fought in the fourth period, managed to come within three points, but Sassari repelled the German team’s push in final minutes to win the game.
Sassari is now tied with Ludwigsburg (1-2) in Group D, with AEK in front (2-0), and Szczecin at the bottom of group standings, with a game to play. The Italian and German side will soon meet again for Round 4 clash in Sardegna (22/11).
Postgame press conference
Photo: fiba.basketball