Strong fourth quarter helps Real Madrid edge Valencia / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Zuma Press – Scanpix Credit Zuma Press – Scanpix

Real Madrid (5-0) remain firm at the Spanish Liga ACB by winning an away match against Valencia Basket (2-3) 93-79 (20-23, 22-16, 22-21, 29-19).

The game was close going into the fourth quarter, with Real having a four-point advantage (64-60). But that's when the Royal Club went on a 15-2 run to knock Valencia out and come away with a solid 14-point win.

Pablo Laso used all 12 of his team members. Only Guerchon Yabusele played over 30 minutes. The rest of the players didn't exceed the 21-minute mark, with five players scoring in double-figures.

"Everyone was very involved and, although the scoreboard did not say it, the first half was very important, Laso said after the game. "We defended very well and that work was important to be able to improve our performance." "We have five games in nine days and we have to evaluate what each player can give us at any given moment. Within the game plan, these are things that are valued more when you win because it means that everyone has done their job well," he added.

Real: Rudy Fernandez 12, Guerchon Yabusele 11, Thomas Heurtel 11, Walter Tavares 10, Sergio Llull 10, Alberto Abalde 9.

Valencia: Martin Hermansson 20, Jasiel Rivero 15, Denad Dimitrijevic 12.

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