By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
AS Monaco beat ASVEL Villeurbanne 82 – 74 on the road in Game 1 of the French Jeep Elite League Finals to gain the upper hand in the best-of-five series and claim the homecourt advantage from the reigning champions.
Mike James had 17 points (on 6-18 shots) six rebounds plus five assists, Alpha Diallo dropped 16 points, Dwayne Bacon scored 13 and grabbed five rebounds while Will Thomas posted 12 points plus seven boards to pace a well-balanced Monaco offense. Their team got a 27 – 46 advantage in the mid of the second period after a brilliant start and used that margin as a guide.
ASVEL reduced the damage and approached 43 – 49 after the break. It wasn’t enough though since Monaco retook a double-digit lead and never allowed its opponents to become truly threatening in the rest of the match.
Elie Okobo led ASVEL with 17 points and six rebounds. David Lighty added 13 points and William Howard scored 12.