Fabien Causeur drops 25 points, Real fend-off late ASVEL's run to get third win in a row / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Romain Biard/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Romain Biard/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Real Madrid (8-2) overcame LSCL ASVEL Villeurbanne (6-4) 87-74 (33-24, 18-19, 16-11, 20-20) to extend their victorious Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stretch.

Player of the Game EFF 25 Walter Tavares Points 12 Accuracy 4-6 Rebounds 10 Assists 2

Fabien Causeur continued his solo performance at the start of the decisive quarter, helping Real arrange an 8-0 run (75-54). However, ASVEL answered with a massive 16-3 spurt (70-78). Elie Okobo, Chris Jones, and Dylan Osetkowski were go-to guys.

Rudy Fernandez nailed a three-pointer (81-70) to stop ASVEL's push with 2:54 to go. Both squads were struggling to score the basket but the same Rudy Fernandez hit a dagger from deep (84-72) with 1:11 to play, sealing the deal.

The third period was going neck to neck but Fabien Causeur managed to hit a half-court buzzer-beater to extend his team's lead to 13 points (67-54).

"I think we did a lot of good things; some bad things," Pablo Laso said after the game. "It was our third game in five days, and I think a lot of our mistakes came from being a little bit tired, physically and mentally."

"But we controlled their threats pretty well. We shut down Okobo after the first quarter, and I think that was an important part of the victory. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, we got a big lead, and that was the key to get an important victory today here in France," Laso concluded.

Fabien Causeur was a top scorer for Real, accumulating 25 points (4/5 2PT, 5/6 3PT, 2/2 FT), 2 rebounds, 3 turnovers, 1 drawn foul, and 19 PIR.

Walter Tavares added a double-double with 12 points (4/6 2PT, 4/5 FT), 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 drawn fouls, and 25 PIR.

Elie Okobo was splendid once again for ASVEL, posting 26 points (4/10 2PT, 4/6 3PT, 6/7 FT), 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 turnovers, 6 drawn fouls, and 26 PIR.

"You've got to play 40 minutes against a team like that. We didn't do it tonight. It's a great team that's played a long time together. Now, we've got another game on Friday," T.J. Parker made a short comment.

Real came out strong from the first minute and created an early 12-point lead (15-3). Walter Tavares, Fabien Causeur, and Guerschon Yabusele were leading the way.

However, ASVEL did not raise the white flag and came back to the game in the second quarter, reducing the deficit to 3 points (34-37).

Chris Jones and Dylan Osetkowski initiated the successful stretch. Nevertheless, Real finished the first half with better energy and the Royal club was in front by 8 points (51-43), going into the break.

Real: Fabien Causeur 25, Guerschon Yabusele 18 (4 REB), Walter Tavares 12 (10 REB), Rudy Fernandez 9.

ASVEL: Elie Okobo 26 (6 AST), Dylan Osetkowski 14 (3 STL), Chris Jones 12 (6 REB, 3 AST), Paul Lacombe 9.

Highlights

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