Mike James, Leo Westermann help Monaco survive Limoges, tie ASVEL for first place / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: IMAGO/PanoramiC-Scanpix Credit IMAGO/PanoramiC-Scanpix

AS Monaco (25-8) took down hosts Limoges (20-13) 89-88 (26-14, 20-22, 10-31, 33-21) and stayed in contention for first place in the LNB regular season. Now, Monaco and LDL ASVEL Villeurbanne are tied at 25-8, with one game left for both sides.

Points this season

48%83,4Points made:83,4Accuracy:48,1%Place in standings:1Record max:107Record min:54Best scorer:Mike JamesTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

In order for Monaco to beat Limoges, a late fourth-quarter surge was needed after a sweeping 31-10 for the hosts in the third period.

Mike James scored 21 points for Sasa Obradovic's squad, but Leo Westermann's 16 were as important, as the French guard scored the winning free-throw.

Demonte Harper put up 22 and CJ Massenburg logged another 18 for Limoges.

With the two teams going hand-in-hand for the most part and Limoges holding a slight edge near the end, Monaco went on a quick 0-9 run that concluded with three-point shots from Leo Westermann and Mike James.

The EuroLeague squad got the upper hand for good (88-84), however the contest was far from over. Nicolas Lang capitalized on Limoges' time-out to drain a three-point shot (87-88), before fouling Dwayne Bacon. The American swingman missed twice, giving Limoges another chance.

Nevertheless, Horace Spencer hit 1/2 free-throws to tied the game at 88. Westermann grabbed the defensive rebound after the miss and got fouled by Hugo Invernizzi. The Frenchman made the first, missed the second on purpose and Monaco escaped from Beaublanc.

AS Monaco: Mike James 21 (7/14 FG, 2/3 FT, 6 REB, 11 AST), Leo Westermann 16 (5/7 FG, 1/2 FT, 6 REB, 4 AST), Donatas Motiejunas 15 (5/6 FG, 4/10 FT), Dwayne Bacon 14 (5/13 FG, 3/6 FT, 6 REB), Paris Lee 11.

Limoges: Demonte Harper 22 (9/15 FG, 1/1 FT, 4 REB, 3 AST), CJ Massenburg 18 (7/15 FG, 1/2 FT, 4 REB, 4 AST), Nicolas Lang 18 (6/16 FG, 4 REB), Horace Spencer 7.

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