Chris Jones helps ASVEL extend their winning streak by taking down UNICS / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (6-2) extended their winning streak at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague to three by taking care of UNICS Kazan (3-5) at home 85-82 (21-24, 18-12, 26-21, 20-25).

Player of the Game EFF 27 Chris Jones Points 25 Accuracy 9-14 Rebounds 3 Assists 3

Mario Hezonja and Tonye Jekiri cut UNICS' deficit to three with less than four minutes left in the game (68-71). But Elie Okobo answered, nailing a floater and putting ASVEL up by seven (77-70).

Isaiah Canaan responded with a 3-pointer, Hezonja added two more, and UNCIS' lead was down to two (79-81). But David Lighty converted two free throws, UNICS missed three consecutive 3-pointers, and ASVEL delivered a three-point victory.

Chris Jones was incredible for ASVEL, ending with 25 points (8/10 2PT, 1/4 3PT, 6/7 FT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, and 27 PIR.

"We believe in ourselves," Jones said post-game. "People may doubt us, but we have a good group of guys out here. We got the stops that we needed. I have great confidence from my coach, my teammates. I have great players around me and they make it kind of easy on me. Winning is my main concern and the guys did a great job tonight."

Mario Hezonja led UNICS with 27 points (10/12 2PT, 2/7 3PT, 1/1 FT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, and 29 PIR.

ASVEL tipped the game off with an 8-0 run, but UNICS retaliated, gaining a three-point lead after Lorenzo Brown's shot (19-16).

O.J. Mayo helped the visitors increase their advantage to five (28-23). However, ASVEL ended the half with a 12-4 run and were up by three going into the break (39-36).

Seven straight points by Elie Okobo gave ASVEL a double-digit advantage in the third (59-49) as the hosts went into the fourth quarter with an eight-point lead (65-57).

"We couldn't stop them on offense at the end of the game," UNICS coach Perasovic said. "They scored too easily in the second half. We always tried, but we didn't have a real opportunity. When we got to 2 points, they made free throws and it is really difficult to win here if you can't stop them in one-on-one situations."

ASVEL: Chris Jones 25, David Lighty 19, Elie Okobo 17 (6 REB), James Gist 6, Charles Kahudi 5.

UNICS: Mario Hezonja 27 (6 REB), Lorenzo Brown 12 (6 REB, 7 AST), Tonye Jekiri 12 (6 REB), Isaiah Canaan 10, John Brown 9 (5 REB).

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