Clutch Chris Jones delivers a game-winning layup to lift ASVEL over Zvezda / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Regina Hoffmann/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Regina Hoffmann/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

LDCL ASVEL Villuerbanne (9-11) sneaked past Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade (7-12) 69-67 (11-17, 14-18, 24-13, 20-19) and skidded their two-game losing streak.

Player of the Game EFF 22 Chris Jones Points 17 Accuracy 7-11 Rebounds 4 Assists 5

James Gist gave the minimal lead for his team (64-63) with 2:47 to go. Ognjen Dobric answered him with two successful free throws (65-64). Chris Jones brought ASVEL in front once more (66-65), as 2:18 were left on the clock.

The French powerhouse got a couple of crucial stops while Paul Lacombe converted one shot from the line (67-65) with 57 seconds to play. On the other end, Ognjen Dobric responded with a duo and tied the game at 67.

Nevertheless, Chris Jones penetrated the rim and drained a game-deciding layup, while Dobric could not convert the last shot from deep.

Chris Jones led the route for ASVEL, accumulating 17 points (6/8 2PT, 1/3 3PT, 2/2 FT), 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 22 PIR.

"I'm just happy that we got the win at home after the disappointing loss we had a couple of days ago. We didn't have our top scorer Elie [Okobo] but we found a way to win. We had guys like Paul [Lacombe] step up. It was really just a team effort. We got stops that we needed down the stretch and we made shots. I'm just happy that we got the win," Jones said post-game.

Paul Lacombe posted the same 17 points (8/13 2PT, 0/1 3PT, 1/2 FT), adding 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, and 17 PIR to his performance.

Ognjen Dobric was the brightest player for Zvezda, registering 20 points (3/8 2PT, 4/7 3PT, 2/2 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 turnovers, and 15 PIR.

"Congrats to ASVEL for the win. In the second half, we played with less energy. The focus was not good enough. In the end, we had the chance for the win but we missed," commented Dejan Radonjic after the nail-biting loss.

Zvezda opened the second quarter with an 8-0 run to create a solid double-digit lead (25-11). They maintained their advantage until the first half end, going into the break with plus 10 (35-25).

Paul Lacombe-led ASVEL gradually cut their deficit in the third period and even took the upper hand (44-43). TJ Parker's squad were in front by one point before the decisive 10 minutes of the game (49-48).

ASVEL: Chris Jones 17 (4 REB, 5 AST), Paul Lacombe 17 (7 REB), James Gist 9 (4 REB).

Zvezda: Ognjen Dobric 20 (4 REB, 5 TO), Aaron White 12 (4 REB), Nikola Kalinic 9, Luka Mitrovic 9 (7 REB).

Highlights

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