Simone Fontecchio pours in 20, as Baskonia upset Monaco with Mike James in front / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Aitor Arrizabalaga/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Aitor Arrizabalaga/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (3-2) beat AS Monaco (2-3) 78-66 (21-20, 17-15, 22-11, 18-20) to grab their third win a row after an unsuccessful Turkish Airlines EuroLeague start (0-2).

Player of the Game EFF 30 Simone Fontecchio Points 20 Accuracy 8-9 Rebounds 7 Assists 4

Monaco began melting their deficit in the decisive 10 minutes. They spurted 14-6 after Mike James, Jerry Boutsiele, and Danilo Andjusic points (60-66) with 4 minutes to play.

Nevertheless, Landry Nnoko 2+1, Rokas Giedraitis dunk, and another Nnoko point from the charity stripe gave Baskonia the solid lead again (72-60). It was enough for the convincing win.

For the winners, Simone Fontecchio was very efficient. He accumulated 20 points (6/7 2PT, 2/2 3PT, 2/2 FT), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 30 PIR.

"It feels good to get a home win, especially in front of this crowd. It was a very amazing atmosphere. We played a good game, staying focused for 40 minutes. We made a good run in the fourth quarter, and we were able to maintain the advantage even when they came back," said the Italian after the victorious contest.

Dusko Ivanovic underlined the positive changes: "We had aggressiveness on defense that we did not have in other games. And generally, we had patience on offense, looking for the better option. Maybe this is our best performance in the EuroLeague this season."

Mike James was a top scorer for Monaco, registering 18 points (5/11 2PT, 1/9 3PT, 5/6 FT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 5 drawn fouls, and 13 PIR.

"I think the better team tonight won. A team with more energy, more desire on defense. They played with a lot more passion and energy, especially on defense. All five of their players were aggressive, with a lot of contact, a lot of fight," told Zvezdan Mitrovic post-game.

At the start of the third period, Danilo Andjusic managed to tie the game at 40 with a hard three-pointer. However, after that, Baskonia pushed the gas pedal.

The Spanish club organized a 13-0 run thanks to Jason Granger, Tadas Sedekerskis, Rokas Giedraitis, and Simone Fontecchio baskets (53-40). Dusko Ivanovic's men were leading by 14 points after 30 minutes of playing time (60-46).

Baskonia: Simone Fontecchio 20 (7 REB, 4 AST), Landry Nnoko 14 (7 REB), Jayson Granger 12 (6 AST), Steven Enoch 12 (3 REB), Rokas Giedraitis 10 (5 REB).

Monaco: Mike James 18 (5 REB), Danilo Andjusic 15 (3 REB), Jerry Boutsiele 11 (10 REB, 18 PIR), Donatas Motiejunas 10.

Highlights

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