| 21.11.2006
Adecco ASVEL suffered heartbreak in last week's narrow defeat to Virtus Bologna but they weren't to be denied in the EuroCup on Tuesday against the Amsterdam Astronauts.
Rowan Barrett had 27 points as the French giants rolled to a decisive 92-70 triumph over the visitors from the Netherlands.
ASVEL seized the initiative in the middle of the opening quarter when they held a 10-9 lead.
That is when Barrett made the first of his five three-pointers in the game to spark a 9-0 run for the French team.
They would end up leading 27-14 by the end of the opening period.
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Amara Sy (Adecco ASVEL Villeurbanne)
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| Amsterdam closed the gap to 29-19 with 7:43 to go in the second quarter, but ASVEL lowered the boom.
Nouha Diakité sank a jump shot, Amara Sy buried a three-pointer and Diakité added two free throws for a commanding 36-19 lead.
ASVEL would end up storming to a convincing win.
Barrett was sensational on offense, missing just two shots from the field all night - including one three-pointer.
He was also a perfect two of two from the line, while ASVEL were a 20 of 27 (74.1%) as a team.
As a unit, ASVEL made eight of 15 (53.3%) from the arc while Amsterdam were two of 18 (11.1%).
Peter van Paassen had 37 points and nine rebounds for Amsterdam.
Virtus, ASVEL and Lemesos all have two wins and one defeat in Group H, while Amsterdam are 0-3.
"Before the game, the situation was critical," said Adecco ASVEL coach Yves Baratet.
"We were playing against a weak team, last in the group, that hadn’t won a game, but on our side, we didn’t know how our team would find it’s balance."
"This victory is a great satisfaction."
"It’s a pleasure to play against such a team," said Amsterdam coach Joe Spinks.
"It will make our team better. I do not see anyone stopping Adecco Asvel and Virtus Bologna, and I think that both teams will take part significantly in the championship. On our side, we will continue to work and try to win at least one game in the EuroCup." |