FIBA Europe Cup: 1/8 finals underway
The Round of 16 is underway in the FIBA Europe Cup with two games opening the knockout phase of the competition, which will see club clash over two legs in pursuit of the quarter-final.
On Tuesday, there were two contest between French and Belgian clubs, with the French clubs playing hosts in both games. Home comfort proved unsuccessful as ASVEL Basket’s defeated Port of Antwerp Giants in Lyon, while Chalon-Sur-Saone did win at home and took out Oostende.
ASVEL vs. Antwerp Giants, 67-74
ASVEL was undone at home by the Antwerp Giants and will have to turnaround a seven point difference when the teams resume hostilities in Belgium next week. The visitors managed to lead from start to finish as ASVEL’s poor recent form continued. The Giants started well with the first six points of the game, and used an 8-0 run spanning the first and second quarters gave the team a 27-39 through halftime. The visitors managed to control the second half, largely thanks to strong shooting from beyond the arc, Antwerp drained 12 three point efforts, while ASVEL only managed five. Before next week, ASVEL has work to do, with the hosts not sitting on a five game losing streak at home and on the continent.
Carleton Scott topped the winning effort with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Charles Kahudi logged 20 points and 9 boards for ASVEL.
“It was a game focused on defense, and we won thanks to our fighting spirit. However, we need to pay attention to the next game.” – Antwerp Giants head coach Roel Moors.
Chalon-Sur-Saone vs. Oostende, 87-71
Chalon-Sur-Saone took a big step towards the FIBA Europe Cup quarter-final with a cruising home win over Oostende, leaving the Belgian guests needing to win by more than 16 points at home next week. The hosts are sitting on some hot form at the moment, and the offence of Elan Chalon was simply too strong in this game, edging to a 40-31 lead through the long break. The home team led from start to finish and through the second half extended with slick plays in the arc and solid defense. The loss was the most points Oostende has shipped all season in the FIBA Europe Cup, so the Belgians will be looking to tighten back up next week.
John Robertson was stunning from the floor, hitting 7-of-11 from the field to pace Chalon with a game high 22 points. Devin Booker was expected to sit out the game, but he featured and produced with 20 points and 6 boards for the winners.
“This was not our best game; Oostende are a physical team, and we are not used to play this kind of teams in the French league. The important thing is that we kept the lead all game.” – Chalon head coach Jean Denys Choulet.