Cedevita holds on to down Valencia, 82-76

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana thrilled a big crowd with a key home win, 82-76, over Valencia Basket on Wednesday night.

Regular Season

Round 17 of 18

game Valencia Basket vs Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

Regular Season

group b

Cedevita Olimpija LjubljanaCOL

8276

Valencia BasketVBC

group b

Overview

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The hosts jumped out to an early 9-point advantage before Valencia went on a 2-13 run to lead by the end of the first. An explosive second quarter from Cedevita saw the hosts score 30 points and take a 50-37 lead into the interval, but Valencia fought back in the final period and briefly led before Cedevita stood strong to hold on. Zoran Dragic paced the winners with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Jaka Blazic added 13 points, while Jacob Pullen (11). Edo Muric (11), Yogi Ferrell (10) and Alen Omic (9 points and 10 rebounds) also played big roles in the win. Mike Tobey led Valencia’s challenge with 14 points and 10 boards and Martin Hermannsson top scored with 16 points. Xabi Lopez-Arostegui (13), Jasiel Rivero (10) and Bojan Dubljevic (10) also scored in double digits. Cedevita improved to 11-7 after its seventh straight win, while Valencia dropped to 12-6.

Long-range strikes from Blazic and Dragic for the hosts and Tobey twice for the visitors opened the scoring, before a pair of baskets from Muric, including a three-point play, bettered a triple from Hermannsson for a 13-9 home team lead. Ferrell added a transition three and Omic made a layup to complete a 10-0 run, which Louis Labeyrie ended from the foul line. Hermannsson struck another triple and then fed Tobey for an alley-oop to make it 18-16 before three-point plays from Rivero and Lopez-Arostegui made it 20-22 at the end of the first.

Rivero with a tough inside basket and Dubljevic with a long two extended the lead to 20-26 early in the second. Pullen’s triple was answered by another three-point play from the unstoppable Rivero, who then fed Guillem Ferrando for a layup and a 23-31 lead. Triples from Muric and Pullen revived the hosts, who then moved ahead as the red-hot Pullen netted another pair of three-pointers and Melvin Ejim added another for a 39-35 advantage. Blazic underneath the basket and Dragic with a long two stretched the lead, before Omic’s transition layup made it 45-37. Dragic added another triple for a 50-37 halftime lead.

Dragic and Lopez-Arostegui traded inside blows to start the second half before Ferrell made it 55-39 with a deep strike. Five fast points from Dubljevic and a triple from Hermannsson pulled Valencia closer, 57-47, but another Ferrell three-pointer kept Cedevita comfortable. Hermannsson’s floater was followed by a series of free throws as Valencia fought back, making it 60-53. Dragic reignited the hosts with a transition layup. Two scores from Zach Auguste, including a highlight-reel slam, helped make it 66-56 with 10 minutes remaining.

Tobey started the final stanza with an open three, but Auguste stayed hot with a battling layup. Jaime Pradilla’s jump hook and Tobey’s inside score made it 68-63, forcing the hosts into a timeout. Labeyrie made it even closer from close range and three-pointers from Lopez-Arostegui and Hermannsson sent Valencia in front, 68-71, after a 0-12 run. Muric responded from deep to tie it up, and 4 free throws from Blazic made it 76-71 from the foul line as defenses took over with no field goals scored in 4 minutes before Dragic and Lopez-Arostegui traded triples. Valencia’s offense had no more to give and Cedevita held on.