EuroView: Andersen fires ASVEL to top of the table

Aussies were big winners this week in Europe with Andersen, Motum, Trist and Newley all playing their role in big wins.

In the French Pro A League David Andersen was the leading-scorer for ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne when they thrashed Le Havre 85-55. In just 21 minutes, Andersen contributed 18 points (7/11 FG), 3 rebounds and 2 assists, also hitting two triples for good measure.

The game itself was over after the first quarter when the hosts opened up a 26-11 lead. Though they rested their starters for lengthy periods of the game, ASVEL continued to pick apart the opposing defence with ease (20 assists). The result was far from a surprise, with Le Havre languishing in last place, yet to record a victory. In comparison, ASVEL has started the season in outstanding form, atop the French Pro A League with a 6-1 record.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkwfB3TOiLs Despite a tough shooting night from import Ben Madgen, Verviers-Pepinster handled Belfius Mons-Hainaut in an enthralling derby duel. The game struggled to sustain a consistent tempo, with periods of exciting end-to-end basketball, combined with a second quarter that yielded 19 points in total. However it didn’t matter in the end, with the scores all level heading into the final term, only for the hosts to prevail 78-76 in what was one of the games of the year.

Madgen finished the game 3/12 from the field as the shots just weren’t falling. Fortunately, he found some redemption at the line (7/8 FT). In the end, Madgen finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist in what proved to be another solid game Madgen.

Mitch McCarron’s Palencia decimated the lowly Lobe Huesca 81-61 to cement top spot on the LEB Gold league table. McCarron played 21 minutes and scored 5 points (2/5 FG), and 5 rebounds as his team were completely dominant, as expected. Palencia is riding a four-game winning streak and is looking rather impressive so far this season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2v4ZFKZYrU

Dan Trist was the leading rebounder in the game between FC Barcelona II and Oviedo, with Oviedo cruising to a 73-90 victory. Trist scored 6 points with 9 rebounds, including 4 offensive. Trist provided a big body in the paint and was a primary reason Oviedo dominated on the glass, 40-24. Barcelona entered the match with a 4-1 record, and it was thought the match would be a tight contest, highlighting the impressive display from the now second-ranked Oviedo who are hot on the heels of McCarron's Palencia.

In the Spanish ACB, Brad Newley did all that was asked of him, and he did it very effectively in a routine 88-59 victory over La Bruixa d’Or Manresa. Newley added 12 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists while converting 6/8 2PT attempts.

Newley had the benefit of a well-drilled Gran Canaria offense, which dished out 21 assists, opposed to just 8 from Manresa. Manresa just had no answers for the talented hosts, outplayed in the paint, on the glass and from the field. The difference between the two teams was clear on game day. Not to put down Manresa, but Gran Canaria are playing very good basketball at the moment and are deserving of their 4-1 record and sixth place on the league table.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRJbgnSIPRk

Daniel Dillon came up big in overtime for PGE Turow in a heartbreaking 95-92 loss to Stal Ostrow. In an entertaining match, Dillon scored 23 points alongside 4 rebounds and 4 assists in a great display of shooting from the former Cairns Taipan. Dillon was 6/9 on 2PT attempts and 3/5 from deep in a stellar outing. Even though Turow cleaned up on the glass with 48 rebounds, it was not enough to get over a spirited Ostraw outfit. The loss was costly for Turow as they now slide to 15th with just one win and now well and truly behind the eight ball.

Lokomotiv Kuban came up short against Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow, going down 65-77 in the VTB United League. Ryan Broekhoff was quiet for the hosts, scoring 3 points (1/4 3PT) with 1 rebound and 3 assists. Though in his defense, CS did lock-down very well on the Lokomotiv offense and many were struggling to find space inside or out. Lokomotiv now sits in 7th place, with the loss opening up a gap between sixth and seventh.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYc9p5dMPi0

Over in Lithuania, Brock Motum scored 10 points as BC Zalgiris Kaunas recorded a big win over Nevezis, 67-90. Motum, the highest paid foreigner in the Lithuanian league, played 24 minutes and did his thing really; banging a bit in the paint and connecting on a three.

Zalgiris had to fight early for control in the match, but once they built some momentum, the valiant effort of Nevezis was not enough. Both teams showed rapid ball movement and, deft passing was a highlight of the contest though the hosts were no match for Zalgiris’ pedigree on the glass. Zalgiris remain the only undefeated team and are looking very good again this season.

In the Adriatic League Aleks Maric scored 2 points before fouling out in an otherwise forgettable outing for Buducnost VOLI Podgorica’s 86-77 loss to Partizan. After a great start to the season, he will be looking to bounce back in the FIBA Europe Cup.