By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Two days before the EuroLeague opener, LDLC ASVEL played a Betclic Elite Round 5 game away at Saint Quentin and lost heavily without the help of Nando De Colo and Charles Kahudi. The scoreboard read 91-71 after 40 minutes.
T.J. Parker decided to rest two experienced players before the trip to Belgrade and the game versus Crvena Zvezda, but it backfired, and his side lost for the second time in a couple of days after falling to Monaco during the weekend.
The Villeurbane team started the game badly, letting the hosts take an early 18-4 lead. Saint Quentin even had a 28-8 advantage in the first period, and ASVEL dug themselves too deep a hole to get out of. Only once, they managed to get to a single-digit deficit since then, with the home side taking a 67-41 lead in the third period. It was obvious there was no coming back from that.
Nate Johnson had 17 points, six rebounds, and five assists for the winning side, while Melvin Ajinca, Tyger Campbell, and Mathis Dossou Yovo added 14 points each.
For ASVEL, Mbaye Ndiaye scored 14 points, Youssoupha Fall and Joffrey Lauvergne added 12 points apiece, and Timothe Luwawu Cabarrot followed them with 10.
Monaco stayed perfect
Before the EuroLeague opener in Valencia, Monaco tied their fifth straight victory in the French championship, defeating Dijon 88-74 at home.
Elie Okobo was the top scorer with 18 points, but Petr Cornelie stole the show with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. Yakuba Outtara added 18 points for the winning side.
Gregor Hrovat led Dijon with 20 points, Jonathan Rousselle added 12, and David Holston 11 points, while Allan Dokosi had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.