Aalstar Beat Belfius In Belgian Showdown

Christopher Young had 12 points and pulled down 8 boards for Okapi Aalstar in the road win

Five players scored in double figures as Okapi Aalstar came back from a 12-point deficit to grab an 84-77 road victory over Belfius Mons-Hainaut in a battle of Belgian teams in Group E of the EuroChallenge.

Derek Raivio led the way for Aalstar with 18 points while Jason Clark had 15 points and Ryan Thompson scored 14 points. Christopher Young chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds with Larry Anderson hitting for 10 points. Justin Cage paced the hosts with 17 points and Brian Qvale had 17 points and 8 rebounds while Quincy Taylor collected 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists in the defeat.

Mons-Hainaut jumped out to an early 13-1 lead as Aalstar failed to score from the floor until the 5:17 mark of the first quarter on a three-ball from Anderson. The guests pulled within 13-9 but the deficit was out to 26-14 at the end of the opening period.

The lead twice grew back to 12 points - 40-28 and 47-35. And Mons-Hainaut led 47-39 at halftime.

The hosts still led 52-43 when Aalstar finally started their comeback midway through the third with Raivio, Anderson, Thompson and Hans Van Langenhove all nailing three-pointers to cut the margin to 60-57. It was 61-57 after three quarters.

When Thomas Dreesen knocked down a triple early in the fourth quarter, it was Aalstar's first lead of the game at 64-63. Joshua Bostic and Dreesen swapped triples, the latter starting a 7-0 Aalstar run with four straight points by Thompson. And the guests finished the game strong with Raivio, Clark and Thompson combining to hit eight-of-eight free throws in the final 1:08.

Quotes Mons-Hainaut vs. Okapi Aalstar

Mons Hainaut head coach Yves Defraigne:
"First, I want to congratulate my colleague and his team which played a very good and tough game. In fact, in the first half, we made few mistakes, especially in the first quarter, but in the second half we found a very agressive team, and my players didn't play as I wanted. There is a big difference between playing quickly and creating open shoots, and forcing shots in all positions ... We could have controlled the tempo, but it was wrong, very wrong, and when you're unable to do it, it's impossible to win. It was night and day between the game of Saturday against Charleroi in the championship and tonight."

Mons Hainaut player Guy Muya:
"We've given the success to our guests ... It was a game with two faces. In the first half, we were playing very well in changing the tempo whenever it was necessary, but after, I don't know why, we desobeyed orders, and committed many turnovers. Maybe it's a question of mentality, but now, to reach the second round, we're obliged to win four games of five to be sure to be qualified, and it will be quite difficult in playing like we did in the second half."

Aalstar head coach Brad Dean:
"When I have a look on our stats, I see we shot more than 71 percent at two points, and more than 55 percent at three points after having trailed twelve points behind Mons. My team is young, and never seemed panic-striken in the first half. My players were physically on top to answer the baskets of their hosts, and it's a good thing to have won, because we know how important it is to take a success away in a pool."

Aalstar player Chris Young:
"The beginning of the game was what we expected, with a very agressive team, shooting very well. But in process of time, we knew everything was possible, provided we avoided turnovers as in the first half. At this moment, we played very strict defense, and it became better offensively in alternating pick and roll, and also in keeping our calm. Most of our players didn't make unprofitable fouls, and we won three quarters of four, with a last one with eleven points of difference."

Quotes Mons-Hainaut vs. Okapi Aalstar

Mons Hainaut head coach Yves Defraigne:
"First, I want to congratulate my colleague and his team which played a very good and tough game. In fact, in the first half, we made few mistakes, especially in the first quarter, but in the second half we found a very agressive team, and my players didn't play as I wanted. There is a big difference between playing quickly and creating open shoots, and forcing shots in all positions ... We could have controlled the tempo, but it was wrong, very wrong, and when you're unable to do it, it's impossible to win. It was night and day between the game of Saturday against Charleroi in the championship and tonight."

Mons Hainaut player Guy Muya:
"We've given the success to our guests ... It was a game with two faces. In the first half, we were playing very well in changing the tempo whenever it was necessary, but after, I don't know why, we desobeyed orders, and committed many turnovers. Maybe it's a question of mentality, but now, to reach the second round, we're obliged to win four games of five to be sure to be qualified, and it will be quite difficult in playing like we did in the second half."

Aalstar head coach Brad Dean:
"When I have a look on our stats, I see we shot more than 71 percent at two points, and more than 55 percent at three points after having trailed twelve points behind Mons. My team is young, and never seemed panic-striken in the first half. My players were physically on top to answer the baskets of their hosts, and it's a good thing to have won, because we know how important it is to take a success away in a pool."

Aalstar player Chris Young:
"The beginning of the game was what we expected, with a very agressive team, shooting very well. But in process of time, we knew everything was possible, provided we avoided turnovers as in the first half. At this moment, we played very strict defense, and it became better offensively in alternating pick and roll, and also in keeping our calm. Most of our players didn't make unprofitable fouls, and we won three quarters of four, with a last one with eleven points of difference."