By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A 20-point cushion nearly evaporated but LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne got the job done, 85-77, against JL Bourg. Also, AS Monaco rolled Cholet, 102-59, on Sunday.
Chris Jones went for 19 points and Elie Okobo added 16 points for ASVEL in Betclic Elite LNB Pro A Regular Season Round 8. Marcos Knight chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds in his debut for the team coached by T.J. Parker. Injured players Raymar Morgan, Victor Wembanyama, David Lighty, and Antoine Diot remained out.
The visitors failed to get in the lead through the 40 minutes but returned from being down, 68-48, midway through the third period to shooting distance in the last quarter. Charging the comeback bid, Rasheed Sulaimon at 19 points and Axel Julien with 18 points, six assists, and four rebounds.
La Roca Team enjoyed a couple of season-high performances as Yakuba Ouattara logged 23 points and Brock Motum added 22 points in the one-sided affair. Dwayne Bacon, Will Thomas, Donatas Motiejunas, Mike James, and Armel Traore sat out.
Both Turkish Airlines EuroLeague sides jumped to 6-2. Metropolitans 92 at 7-1 tops the standings.
Back in Europe’s premier club competition, the team based in the suburb of Lyon is scheduled to host ACB powerhouses, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, on Tuesday and Friday, respectively. Monaco will be on the road versus Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv Wednesday and Anadolu Efes Friday.
Elsewhere in the French League, Roanne routed Orleans, 94-76, to improve to 3-5. Johnny Berhanemeskel scored 21 points.
Sunday results:
Roanne – Orleans 94-76
AS Monaco – Cholet 102-59
LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne – JL Bourg 85-77