Shane Larkin shines as Anadolu Efes rally past ASVEL / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Aykut Akici/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Aykut Akici/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Anadolu Efes Istanbul (12-11) finished the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague double-week on a high note, defeating ASVEL LDCL Villeurbanne (9-15) 78-72 (15-16, 17-20, 22-14, 24-22).

Player of the Game EFF 23 Shane Larkin Points 19 Accuracy 7-14 Rebounds 1 Assists 8

The Turkish powerhouse, guided by Shane Larkin, opened the decisive period with a 14-4 push to create a 14-point lead (68-54).

Though, ASVEL were not ready to give up; they cut their deficit to 5 points (66-71), organizing a 7-0 run, with 2:45 left on the clock. Bryant Dunston let Efes breathe easier (73-66) but Chris Jones responded with two successful free throws (68-73).

Both clubs exchanged with inefficient attacks while Bryant Dunston closed the match hitting his rare three-pointer (76-68) with 22 seconds to play.

Shane Larkin was splendid for Efes, posting 19 points (3/7 2PT, 4/7 3PT, 1/2 FT), 1 rebound, 8 assists, 4 steals, 4 turnovers, and 23 PIR.

"In the third quarter, we really tried to make a push and tried to get a good lead. That carried us all the way to the end. We feel good. It has been a long season for us but we feel that we got healthy and are starting to get our rhythm back. So it feels good.

We got a great win in Moscow, then to come here and get another win here today, we just have to continue, keep going, take it game by game, and see what we can do. It is always great to make shots, and the fact that we made a lot of shots in Moscow and then coming out today and making some shots as well is a good feeling," said Larkin post-game.

ASVEL's Marcos Knight was on fire in the first half, having 16 points (7/7 2PT), 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 26 PIR. The French club was up against defending champs 36-32.

Knight finished the game with a double-double, registering 21 points (8/11 2PT, 1/3 3PT, 2/3 FT), 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 30 PIR.

However, Shane Larkin-led Anadolu Efes responded with an 11-0 spurt at the start of the third quarter to create an 8-point advantage (48-40). Both clubs were separated by 4 points (54-50) before the last 10 minutes of the game.

Ergin Ataman returned on the bench for Anadolu Efes, after being sidelined by an upper respiratory infection. Leader Elie Okobo missed the game for ASVEL, facing a shoulder injury.

Anadolu Efes: Shane Larkin 19 (8 AST, 4 STL, 4 TO), Krunoslav Simon 14 (5 REB), Tibor Pleiss 12 (6 REB), Rodrigue Beaubois 10.

ASVEL: Marcos Knight 21 (12 REB), Chris Jones 13 (6 AST), Matthew Strazel 13 (5 TO).

Highlights

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