Mike James show fuels Monaco past Walden-led Bayern / News - Basketnews.com

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AS Monaco (8-11) came back to Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after 15 days break and visited FC Bayern Munich (8-11) at Audi Dome. Sasa Obradovic's men overtook Bayern 83-78 (19-18, 21-17, 22-19, 21-24) and got their second straight victory.

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Monaco created a double-digit lead (71-61) after Mike James' three-pointer in the mid-fourth quarter. Though, Bayern were not ready to give up. Corey Walden and Othello Hunter scored a couple of baskets in a row to reduce the Germans' deficit to 5 points (68-73).

Mike James and Nick Weiler-Babb exchanged with successful attacks while Bacon scored one point from the line (76-70) with 3 minutes to go. Both clubs were struggling to find ways to score the basket as Corey Walden terminated the silence (72-76). But Mike James spoke his word again, pouring in one more three (79-72) with 1:12 left on the clock.

Othello Hunter scored a duo, while Danilo Andjusic converted two free shots from the charity stripe. Bayern lost the ball and Will Thomas sealed the deal for Monaco.

Mike James was outstanding tonight, accumulating 26 points (5/10 2PT, 5/7 3PT, 1/3 FT), 4 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 3 drawn fouls, and 23 PIR.

He became the first EuroLeague player to score at least 25 points in 30 games.

"[The key was] just getting in more of a rhythm, getting back healthy. Playing again. It's been a long time since we played a real EuroLeague game. Just happy to be back. Happy we won. On to the next one. Just settling down," Monaco's star told post-game.

Corey Walden shone on the other side, having a career night. The American guard posted 26 points (3/3 2PT, 5/10 3PT, 5/5 FT), 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 5 drawn fouls, and 34 PIR.

"I believe that we did whatever we could. We played 48 hours ago. A double week for only one team, you see we didn't have the right energy at the end, but I believe that we control the boards, and dished more assists, we had fewer turnovers, and everybody would think that we lost because of Mike James, he made amazing baskets, but when I play against James I always put, I'm ready for his 25 points," Andrea Trinchieri said.

Corey Walden-led Bayern created a substantial 7-point advantage (35-28) with 3 minutes to go in the second quarter, however, the success was short-lived.

Monaco closed the first half on a high note, arranging a 12-0 spurt (40-35). Alpha Diallo, Donatas Motiejunas, and Dwayne Bacon contributed with the buckets, while Mike James put the cherry on top, nailing a three-pointer at the buzzer.

The game went neck-on-neck in the third period but Mike James did it again. He drained another buzzer-beating trey to give his team an 8-point lead (62-54) before the last 10 minutes of the match.

Monaco: Mike James 26 (6 AST), Danilo Andjusic 16, Dwayne Bacon 11 (4 REB), Donatas Motiejunas 10 (5 REB).

Bayern: Corey Walden 26 (5 AST, 4 STL), Vladimir Lucic 14, Deshaun Thomas 9 (5 REB).

Highlights

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