ASVEL edge out Panathinaikos behind Okobo's 35 points / News - Basketnews.com

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

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (5-2) downed hosts Panathinaikos OPAP Athens (2/5) by 84-70 (24-18, 19-20, 16-15, 26-16), continuing their hot start to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season.

Player of the Game EFF 37 Elie Okobo Points 35 Accuracy 13-19 Rebounds 4 Assists 2

The game was tight in the first half, but Daryl Macon Jr. gave Panathinaikos a seven-point lead (34-27). However, the visitors answered with a 16-4 run to finish the half up by five (43-38).

ASVEL increased their lead to eight points at the end of the third period (68-60). But Panathinaikos didn't give up as Ioannis Papapetrou's free throws cut their deficit to two (63-65).

However, ASVEL were able to keep Panathinaikos at bay, as Elie Okobo's free throws gave them a six-point advantage with 1:14 to go (76-70). He hit a 3-pointer in the back-to-back possessions, bringing his team a 14-point win.

Okobo was spectacular tonight, accumulating 35 points (8/12 2PT, 5/7 3PT, 4/4 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, and 31 PIR.

"My teammates give me confidence every day," Okobo happily said post-game. "I am working on my game. They trust me – the coaching staff, too. Coach challenges me on the defensive end every day. My teammates make fun of me sometimes when I get a little lazy. Tonight, we knew it was going to be important."

Jeremy Evans performed well for PAO. He ended with 12 points (4/5 2PT, 4/4 FT), 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, and 19 PIR.

"Defensively, our team showed a great effort," ASVEL coach TJ Parker said post-game. "Every day in practice, every time in the game, they don't cheat. To keep a team that was averaging 93 points at home to 70 points, that's where you get the win. It is just one game at a time."

ASVEL: Elie Okobo 35, Chris Jones 13, Kostas Antetokounmpo 12 (6 REB, 3 BLK), David Lighty 9.

Panathinaikos: Daryl Macon 16, Ioannis Papapetrou 16 (6 REB), Jeremy Evans 12 (6 REB), Nemanja Nedovic 8.

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