Fourth quarter defense gives Estudiantes win over ASVEL

U18 Movistar Estudiantes Madrid gave up just 4 points in the fourth quarter in picking up its first victory at the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Qualifier Valencia by beating U18 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 58-65. Hector Alderete led the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds for Estudiantes, which improved to 1-1 in Group B. Emil Stoilov added 12 points and Antonio Guerrero scored 11 points in the victory, which sent undefeated 2-0 U18 Virtus Bologna into Sunday’s ANGT Valencia title game. ASVEL dropped to 0-2 despite 17 points from Matthew Strazel and 14 from Amir Bouzidi.

The first quarter was low scoring with Stoilov hitting 2 baskets as Estudiantes went up 4-8. Elwin Ndjock knocked down a three-pointer to start a 7-2 run as ASVEL went up 11-10 and it was 11-11 after 10 minutes. Two scores from Hugo Desseignet had the French side up 15-13 when Jaime Govantes sparked a 0-9 surge for a 15-22 Estudiantes lead. A Guerrero three-ball increased the gap to 21-29 but Strazel nailed two treys as ASVEL was down just 32-33 at the break. Estudiantes used a 0-8 run early in the third quarter to pull ahead 35-44 and it was 38-47 before ASVEL closed the period with a 16-2 run thanks to 9 points from Bouzidi to lead 54-49 after 30 minutes. However, ASVEL’s offense fell apart in the fourth quarter with just 2 free throws until Strazel scored the only basket in the game’s waning seconds. On the other hand, Alderete scored 11 points in the final frame as Estudantes pulled away to victory.