Bourg beats Reyer again, books Top 16 spot

JL Bourg en Bresse locked up a spot in the Top 16 in its maiden season in the 7DAYS EuroCup by defeating Umana Reyer Venice 76-86 in a makeup game from Round 3. Danilo Andjusic poured in a career-high 27 points and Kadeem Allen added 19 points for Bourg, which improved to 5-2 in Group A. Alen Omic added 14 points and 10 rebounds and Zachery Peacock chipped in 11 points and 4 assists. Reyer was short-handed as Valerio Mazzola, Stefano Tonut and Mitchell Watt all missed the game. Austin Daye led the way with 23 points while Davide Casarin and Jeremy Chappell each scored 17 points. The loss dropped Reyer to 2-5 in the group.

Isaac Fotu gave the hosts the first lead of the game before Andjusic’s three-pointer put the visitors up for the first time, 4-5. Reyer got 7 points from Casarin to open a 13-10 lead. Reyer struggled to get control of the Andjusic-Peacock duo which combined for 10 points in a 2-14 run as Bourg went up 15-24. Daye answered with an and-one and Chappell hit a three-pointer as the deficit was cut to 23-29 after 10 minutes. Reyer was held scoreless for 4 minutes and Peacock had 4 points in a 0-10 run as Bourg raced away to lead 23-39. The hosts got 6 points from Casarin in an 11-0 answer to pull within 34-39. Andjusic snapped the drought with a three-pointer and Bourg led 34-42 at the break.

Thomas Scrubb pushed the advantage to 34-46 before Michael Bramos hit a three-pointer at the other end. Bourg did not let Reyer cut into the gap as Allen and Andjusic both had 6 points to make it 48-60. Reyer managed to keep Bourg scoreless for nearly 3 minutes and cut to within 55-60. The hosts trailed 60-66 after 30 minutes. Daye opened the fourth quarter with a score, but then missed a dunk that could have made it a 2-point game only to see Andjusic drain a triple for a 62-69 lead. Daye followed with 7 straight points and Reyer was down 73-76 with less than 4 minutes to play. Andrea De Nicolao’s triple made it 76-79, but Allen drained a three-pointer of his own with 63 seconds left and then stole the ball from Chapell and hit the layup with 51 seconds for a 76-84 lead and the win.

We meet again

It was actually Bourg’s second matchup with Reyer within 24 hours as the two sides played their Round 8 makeup game on Wednesday, an 87-59 runaway win for Bourg, which was the home team even though the game was played in Italy.

Historic night for teenager Casarin

Reyer’s absences allowed 17-year-old Davide Casarin to shine. He scored a career-high 17 points while hitting 8 of 10 shots to go with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal before fouling out after a career-high 29:43 minutes.

Telling numbers

Bourg held Reyer to just 28.0% shooting on three-pointers and forced the hosts into 19 turnovers.

Next games

Reyer will remain at home for its next game against Joventut Badalona in Round 9 on Tuesday, December 8. Bourg will have another road game in Round 9 when it travels to Russia to play UNICS Kazan on Wednesday, December 9.