Giedraitis' clutch 3-pointer propels Baskonia who hold off ASVEL / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com-SCANPIX Credit ZUMAPRESS.com-SCANPIX

Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (9-15) defeated ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne (7-16) in France 72-69 (18-14, 15-16, 18-17, 21-22), handing ASVEL their seventh straight loss at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

Player of the Game EFF 28 Matt Costello Points 13 Accuracy 4-4 Rebounds 8 Assists 3

Paul Lacombe was impressive down the stretch, giving ASVEL a five-point lead (62-57). However, Rokas Giedraitis finally scored his first points in crunch time, draining a crucial 3-pointer with a minute remaining in the fourth to give Baskonia a four-game advantage (68-64).

Matthew Strazel converted a pair of free throws with less than three seconds to go, cutting ASVEL's deficit to a single point (69-70). But Matthew Costello responded with two shots at the charity stripe on the other end, and Baskonia came away with a three-point victory.

Costello was the most efficient player for Baskonia, finishing with 13 points (2/2 2PT, 2/2 3PT, 3/4 FT), 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 3 turnovers, and 28 PIR.

Alec Peters led the winners in scoring, putting up 17 points (4/7 2PT, 3/7, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, and 12 PIR.

"I think we've learned from many games in the past that we've had close at the end and weren't able to finish," Peters said. "Right now we’re putting together a pretty good week of basketball with three wins. It's not getting easier for us. We're trying to build something here this season that will give us more confidence moving forward."

Paul Lacombe had 16 points (8/10 2PT, 0/2 3PT), 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, and 16 PIR.

"The character and personality of our players - this is our fifth game in 10 days - I just want to congratulate them for the amazing effort," Baskonia's coach Spahija said. "I know we didn’t play our best basketball. But I saw a lot of personality today. At the end, we had more luck and we won the game."

Wade Baldwin scored seven quick points to give Baskonia the early advantage (16-9). However, Victor Wembanyama helped ASVEL tie the game at 22 in the second, but Baldwin and Alec Peters tipped the scales back in Baskonia's favor going into halftime (33-30).

Simone Fontecchio's 2-pointer increased Baskonia's lead to nine in the third (45-36), but ASVEL didn't allow the hosts to run away, cutting their deficit to three going into the final quarter (47-50).

Baskonia: Alec Peters 17 (5 REB), Wade Baldwin 14 (5 REB), Matthew Costello 13 (8 REB, 3 BLK), Simone Fontecchio 12 (8 REB, 6 AST, 5 TO).

ASVEL: Paul Lacombe 16, David Lighty 11, Matthew Strazel 9, Victor Wembanyama 9 (7 REB), Kostas Antetokounmpo 9.

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