Union Olimpija Ljubljana continued its dominance on the home floor, leading from start to finish and thrashing Asvel Villeurbanne Lyon 86-48 on Wednesday night. It is the third consecutive win for Olimpija, improving it to 5-2 in a sole possession of the second place in Group C, while Asvel drops to 3-4 in the fourth place. This outcome also advances Ratiopharm Ulm to the next stage. Olimpija took lead, and control on the floor, from the opening possession, and patiently built its advantage to 39-29 at halftime. After the break a 17-1 run extended it to 62-35, and the hosts cruised to a crucial victory. Sasu Salin netted 25 points on 5 of 6 three-point shooting. Alex Stephson finished with 15 points plus 10 rebounds, while Deividas Gailius scored 10 points for Olimpija. Georgi Joseph was the only scorer in double-digits for Asvel with 11 points, while Amara Sy finished with 9 in a big loss.
Olimpija took control from the start, with Cedric Jackson hitting a triple, and assisting Dragisa Drobnjak for two layups and 13-5. Sy and Joseph got the visitors’ offense going, cutting it to 18-16 late in the first quarter, and Leslie Travis hit couple of jumpers early in the second for 22-21. But that is as close as Asvel got. Salin hit three free throws, than back-to-back triples, extending the lead into double digits. Edwin Jackson nailed a triple for the visitors, but Drazen Bubnic and Gailius added to Olimpija’s tally and 39-29 halftime lead. Salin hit couple of jumpers at the start of the third quarter, while Joseph and Sy kept Asvel in range. However, layups from Cederic Jackson and Alen Omic sparked a 17-1 run that also included baskets from Salin, Drobnjak and Stepheson for 62-35. Olimpija did not allow a field goal for almost 9 minutes to end the third quarter, extending its lead to 68-37 going into the fourth. Paccelis Morlende ended Asvel’s drought, but it was too little too late, as Stepheson pushed the lead to 77-41. The hosts closed out the game with baskets from Bubnic, Nebojsa Joksimovic and Jaka Brodnik, as margin hit 39 points before game’s end.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
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