Andorra offense races past Ulm for first win
MoraBanc Andorra entered the win column in Group A by defending its home court with a 97-78 victory over ratiopharm Ulm on Wednesday. Dejan Todorovic led the way with 15 points for the semifinalists from last season, who improved to 1-1. Six MoraBanc players scored in double figures as David Jelinek had 12 points, Nacho Llovet 11 and Jeremy Senglin, David Walker and Tyson Perez all picked up 10 points. Ulm is still looking for its first win in the group despite 22 points from Derek Willis. Tyler Harvey added 15 points and teenage talent Killian Hayes collected 10 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals.
Willis and Hayes opened the scoring for the guests with back-to-back threes. Walker answered with as many at the other end, getting MoraBanc within 8-10, but Ulm followed with 7 straight points for an 8-17 advantage. MoraBanc started to execute better on offense – and tightened the screws on defense – and Jeremy Senglin had 5 points in a 13-5 finish and pull within 21-22. Llovet scored 5 points while Bandja Sy and Guillem Colom both nailed three-pointers as MoraBanc opened the second quarter on a 15-2 run to go up 36-24. Threes by Clevin Hannah, Colom and Sy pushed the advantage out to 48-33 and it was 51-37 at the break. The MoraBanc onslaught continued in the second half as Todorovic nailed 2 three-pointers in a 16-2 run for a 67-41 lead. Per Guenther and Harvey both connected from long range to pull Ulm within 72-52. But the gap was 76-52 after 30 minutes. Ulm managed the first 5 points of the fourth quarter but Jelinek responded with a three-pointer. Hayes's three-pointer trimmed it to 81-62 but Jelinek banged down another triple. Willis continued to fight to get the guests close with 2 more long balls to make it 92-75. But Walker answered with a three-pointer to end any doubts.
Pivotal performer
Dejan Todorovic came off the Andorra bench and scored a team-high 15 points on just 6 field goal attempts and 2 free throws, hitting 3-of-4 three-pointers. He also picked up 3 rebounds and 5 assists for a PIR of 21.
Bench gets the job done
David Walker was the only Andorra starter to score in double figures with 10 points as the first five combined for 33 points. Five reserves totaled at least 10 points each.
Telling numbers
Andorra was on fire on offense, hitting 67.9% from two-point range and 48.3% from outside to go with 81.0% from the free throw line. The hosts dominated the boards, 38 to 20, and held Ulm to just 36.8% on two-point shots.
Next games
Having gotten into the win column at home, Andorra heads back on the road on the hunt for road victory number one against Segafredo Virtus Bologna on Tuesday, October 15. Ulm returns home one night later and aims to finally grab a win against Promitheas Patras.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Eurocupbasketball.com