EuroView: Dynamic Dillon and Andersen do it all
The dynamic Daniel Dillon and David Andersen did it all for their respective sides this week, while in the LEB Gold two Aussies went head to head in a top of the table clash.
Daniel Dillon was doing a bit of everything for PGE Turow in their 96-85 victory over MKS Dabrowa Gornicza in the Tauron League. Dillon recorded 13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 turnovers. Dillon was very good, but it could have been an even bigger game had he made the most of his chances (2/8 FG). But it didn’t matter, as Turow managed to cruise to victory easily after a tight first three-quarters, with the hosts outscoring MKS 28-17 in the final term. Turow just kept getting to the line all game, and that was the difference, shooting 21/30 at the charity stripe compared to 10/16 for their opponents. It was just the second win of the year for Turow and moves them up to 12th on the league table, just one spot above MKS.
Dan Dillon | Credit: PGE Turów Zgorzelec
Like Dillon, David Andersen was doing it all for ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne when they easily accounted for lowly Rouen 77-66. Andersen collected 14 points (5/13 FG), 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 turnovers in a very solid contribution for the veteran. ASVEL’s offensive ball movement was magnificent for periods of the match, helped significantly by the ability of the dynamic Andersen to find his team mates. ASVEL recorded 20 assists compared to just 8 turnovers and they were equally as good on defence, allowing just 8 assists and forcing many of Rouen’s 14 turnovers. ASVEL were happy to let fly from deep (8/30 3PT) and were fortunate their opponent couldn’t punish them for their inability to convert from long-range. The win ensures ASVEL remain on top of the French Pro A League with a 7-1 record.
Herbalife Gran Canaria required overtime to get the job done against CAI Zaragoza in the Spanish ACB, but it was in overtime where Gran Canaria shined. Tied up at 74-74 after a final quarter comeback from Gran Canaria, the hosts were rampant in overtime, outscoring Zaragoza 17-5 to run out victors 91-79. For Gran Canaria, Brad Newley was in good form with 12 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Newley didn’t have the best shooting night either, hitting 1/4 three-pointers and going just 1/4 at the line. Playing for Zaragoza, New Zealand’s Isaac Fotu also put in a strong performance, with 14 points and 4 rebounds. Gran Canaria moved up to sixth on the league table with a 5-2 record.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d_5ZXlkyxo
The top two teams faced off in the LEB Gold in poain, and this gave Mitch McCarron and Dan Trist their first encounter against each other. Both struggled however, as McCarron’s Palencia were victorious 68-74 over Oviedo.
For Palencia, McCarron played 18 minutes and scored 5 points (2/6 FG) with 3 rebounds compared to Trist’s 4 points (2/6 FG) and 1 rebound in 12 minutes after fouling out. For the second game in a row, Trist has fouled out in very little time and at the moment this appears to be his biggest weakness and lesson to learn in European basketball. While the two Aussies failed to live up to expectations, the game was a quality contest, separated by an impressive 10-18 third quarter run by Palencia. Oviedo lost despite Palencia's woeful shooting, hitting just 1/11 from three-point range and just 19/29 from the free-throw line. Palencia also played it safe with the ball, recording just 6 assists and 7 turnovers, while Oviedo gave up 13 turnovers and 15 assists. All in all, it was an intriguing contest with significant ramifications for the league as Palencia has now established themselves as the team to beat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLI1oQhxejY
BC Zalgiris Kaunas have improved their record to 10-0 with a 68-82 win over second-ranked Lietuvos Rytas. Zalgiris got out to an early lead and cruised until the final quarter when the intensity increased to ensure they would be comfortable winners. Brock Motum was quiet, adding 2 points and 2 rebounds from 6 minutes, which follows his scoreless Euroleague match last week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JzRwEe2FFA
VOO Verviers-Pepinster suffered an embarrassing 87-83 loss at the hands of the formerly winless Leuven in Belgim. Leuven gave the visitors trouble on offense right from the outset, displaying quality set plays and finishing for the bottom ranked team. Ben Madgen finished 4/11 from the field to provide 9 points and 7 rebounds. It was by no means a terrible performance by Madgen, but it was clear that his ability to get the line and create opportunities was sorely missed.