Monaco scores 15 unanswered in fourth quarter to top Ulm

AS Monaco trailed for much of the first three quarters, but used a 15-0 fourth-quarter run to take charge en route to an 82-65 victory over ratiopharm Ulm on Wednesday night at Stade Louis II. Monaco scored 26 points in the final stanza while holding the visitors to just 10. The result kept Monaco undefeated at home and lifted the club to a share of first place in Group A at 3-1, while Ulm remained in last place at 0-4. Dylan Ennis led the winners with 18 points, 4 assists and 3 steals, Jaleel O'Brien scored 16 and Dee Bost tallied 12 points, 8 assists and 4 steals. Killian Hayes paced Ulm with 15 points and Derek Willis and Andreas Obst netted 11 each.

Willis nailed a pair of threes and Hayes dished a pair of assists as Ulm raced out to a 5-13 start. Ennis heated up for Monaco, but Hayes remained aggressive to keep Ulm in control. Bost rallied the hosts to within 16-17, but Zoran Dragic's bank shot made it 17-21 after 10 minutes. The teams traded shots for much of the second quarter with the visitors able to manage their small lead. O'Brien free throws made it 31-32 late in the half only for three-pointers by Willis and Seth Hinrichs to make it 35-38 at the break. Bost was fouled shooting a three-pointer and made the resulting 3 free throws to tie the game just 45 seconds into the second half and then O'Brien's steal led to a Wilfried Yeguete and Monaco's first lead. The hosts upped the pressure to lead 44-38 after a 9-0 run. A pair of scores by Obst tied the game at 46-46 and the visitors regained the lead at 50-52 on a Kristofer Krause triple. A three by Yakuba Ouattara in the closing seconds of the third quarter put Monaco ahead 56-55 at the stop. An off-balance triple by Obst and a three by Anthony Clemmons each saw the lead change. Bost added free throws and a steal that set up a slam by Yeguete. Tillie nailed a three-pointer to extend what became a 15-0 Monaco run for a 73-60 advantage.

Game-changing run

After Per Guenther gave Ulm a 58-60 edge a minute and a half into the fourth quarter, it appeared a tense finish might be in store. Instead, Monaco held the visitors scoreless for the next 5 and a half minutes while reeling off 15 unanswered points. Wilfried Yeguete scored twice and Dee Bost had 3 assists and a steal in the run.

Monaco maximized its steals

Both teams committed more turnovers than desired, with the hosts losing the fall 16 times and the visitors 18. The big difference was that two-thirds of the Ulm turnovers were Monaco steals, which it turned into 28 points. Ulm only collected 8 steals and generated 15 points off turnovers.

Second-unit fueled the winners

Monaco rode strong games from Jaleel O’Brien, Anthony Clemmons and Wilfried Yeguete off the bench to the win. All told, the home team got 46 points, 24 points and 7 assists from its reserves. Ulm countered with just 21 points, 8 boards and 2 assists and

What's next?

Monaco heads to Italy next Wednesday for a showdown against Segafredo Virtus Bologna with first place in the group at stake. Ulm will host Maccabi Rishon LeZion on Tuesday in search of its maiden win.