Eurocup: Sassari gets close win vs. Chalon

Round 8 of the Eurocup Regular Season is underway after five games were played on Tuesday evening, with a further 18 to follow on Wednesday and one on Thursday.

The action on the night included a last gasp win for Sardegna Sassari over Elan Chalon on the road to put the team top of Group B. Also in the group, Belgian club Spirou sunk Bilbao Basket in one of the shock results of the competition this season. Ratiopharm Ulm continued to assert dominance in Group C with a victory over Paris-Levallois in what was a low scoring encounter.

Gravelines snatched top spot in Group D by smashing Mons Hainaut on the road, while there was also action in Group F where Khimik crushed Alba of Hungary.

Group B

Elan Chalon vs. Dinamo B. Sardegna Sassari, 80-82

Despite the difference in table position in Group B, Sassari would have expected a tough challenge on the road from 5th place Chalon, after all the French club has won three games this season. In a very close match the Italian visitors emerged as winners after a buzzer basket to go top of Group B with a 6-2 record, while Chalon remains in 5th with 3-5.

The visitors started the game confidently and got the better of the opening exchanges to carve out a 22-28 lead after 10 minutes of the game. Sassari hit 14 three pointers on the night, 11 of which came in the first half as a barrage of scores from beyond the arc gave the Italian team a 46-54 halftime advantage. During the third quarter the teams jostled for supremacy but ultimately ended the period with the hosts cutting the lead to five and 61-66 after 30 minutes. During the fourth quarter Chalon fought and hassled until the teams were tied at 80-80 with just seven seconds on the clock. With the game on the verge of overtime Travis Diener found home on the buzzer to claim the win for Sassari.

Caleb Green score19 points in the game for the victors, while game winner Travis Diener tabbed 15 points and also added six assists.

A.J. Slaughter logged a game high 24 points for the losing team and was backed up by Kris Joseph with 15 points and Clint Capela with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Group C

Ratiopharm Ulm vs. Paris Levallois, 56-48

Home team Ratiopharm Ulm continued to show good form in the Eurocup Regular Season by sinking Paris-Levallois in Germany. The victory bolsters the club´s lead at the top of Group B ahead of Union Olimpija Ljubjana with a record of 7-1. Despite a win last week, Paris continues to struggle this season and slips to 2-6 in fifth place.

This was a low scoring game so neither team ever tore away and dominated proceedings, but from the early stages it was the German hosts that looked the better teamed and maintained a healthy advantage throughout. During the first quarter Ulm raced into an 8-0 lead and never really looked back, securing the first period 17-6. The visitors finally kick started its offense in the second 10 minutes and cut the lead to 19-13, but Ulm responded with an unanswered 7-0 run to go 27-13. Paris kept fighting in the period to make it 31-21 at halftime, with the home team cruising. The opening of the third gave the traveling team a chance to go on a run of their own as they hit 8 points without reply. The lead was cut to 31-29 and there was now a real game being played as the teams traded for a few minutes. However, once again Ulm stormed ahead with an 11-0 run that all but killed the game and put the scoreboard at 50-38 with one quarter remaining. Ratiopharm got mean in defense in the last period and kept Paris at a safe distance throughout the quarter to take a comfortable victory.

It was a low scoring clash but there were several big contributions on the night. Will Clyburn 10 points plus 8 rebounds for Ulm, while Adam Hess had 7 points plus 5 rebounds and Cameron Long contributed with 6 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Daniel Ewing hit a game high 18 points in the losing effort, while Landing Sane added 9.

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Other games on the night

Group B

Belgacom Spirou vs. Bilbao Basket, 79-73

Group D

Belfius Mons Hainaut vs. BCM Gravelines, 53-85

Group F

Khimik Yuzhne vs. Alba Fehervar, 81-54