By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
In danger of elimination, MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg took down AEK Betsson with a confident display in the fourth quarter to secure homecourt advantage in the Play-Ins of the Basketball Champions League.
A narrow lead through the last ten minutes culminated in an 83-79 victory in MHP Arena.
Instead of an early exit with a potential loss on Wednesday, jumping to 3-3 and ranking second in Group D set up a best-of-three series opposite Darussafaka Lassa. The winner joins JDA Dijon, Telekom Baskets Bonn, and Bertram Derthona Tortona or Galatasaray Ekmas in Group J.
Former Buffalo standout Jayvon Graves scored 24 points, a new individual best across continental and domestic campaigns this season. He also dished out eight assists to go with three steals and two rebounds in Gameday 6 of the Regular Season.
Hofstra product Desure Buie put in all of his 16 points in the second half. Yorman Polas Bartolo followed with 13 points for the team coached by Josh King. Jeff Roberson (knee) has yet to be cleared to return to action.
The Queen was locked in the first seed, heading to Group L of the Round of 16, but finished the double-legged round-robin schedule of the four-team group at 5-1. Jordan McRae recorded a team-high 20 points in Ludwigsburg.
Resuming action in late January, UCAM Murcia will be among the next opponents. The four-team group will be completed by Le Mans or Promitheas and Hapoel Holon or Filou Oostende.
Postgame press conference
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League