Four players scored in double figures as Royal Liège Basket dominated on the second floor to post a 95-84 win over Uniclub Casino Juventus Utena on Wednesday, March 13, at the Country Hall in eastern Belgium.
Players of the game
EJ Anosike led all scorers with 25 points on 9/13 shooting from the two point line and a perfect 7/7 from the charity stripe.
A former California State at Fullerton forward grabbed nine rebounds for Liège Basket.
Anosike filled the stat sheet with three assists, one steal and one block.
Olivier Troisfontaines followed with 19 points on 4/10 shooting from the three point line and a fine 7/8 effort from the free throw line.
Shooting guard registered four rebounds, one assist and one steal.
Jamelle Hagins joined with 18 points.
A former Delaware star center went 7/9 from the field and a flawless 4/4 from the charity stripe.
Last but not least, Angel Rodriguez posted 15 points, five rebounds and eight assists.
Ryan Taylor was a go-to man for Uniclub Casino Juventus.
A former Northwestern star from Gary, Indiana, had 23 points on 8/15 shooting from the floor and a perfect 3/3 from the free throw line.
Dayshon Smith (Dayton) participated with 14 points on poorer accuracy than usual.
TJ Starks (California State University at Northridge) and Ajdin Penava (Marshall) added 11 points each.
Key stats
Liège Basket outrebounded Juventus, 49-21, especially on the offensive glass, 16-6.
The hosts scored more second chance points, 21-5.
Liège Basket also outscored Juventus in the paint, 48-28.
Wallonia team shot 51% from the field, including 69% from the two point line, 27/39.
Liège Basket led by as much as 16 points.
They were ahead after the first half, 57-45.
Juventus used fast breaks and good perimeter shooting at times to fought back.
They tied the game at 70 with 10:00 minutes to go.
Liège Basket finished the first game on a 25-14 run.
Game notes
Liège Basket improved to 5-3, while Uniclub Casino Juventus dropped to 6-2.
Liège are 3-1 in the ENBL home games.
Juventus are 3-1 in the ENBL road games.
Alex Zampier and his men may lose by 10 points at Utena and still qualify for the Final Four.
Oliver Kostič and Juventus need to win by 12 points in order to advance.
SCHEDULE (local time only)
(A1) Uniclub Casino Juventus Utena – Royal Liège Basket (B4)
Game one: Wednesday, March 13, Liège win 95-84
Game two: Wednesday, March 20, Utena 18:30
(A2) Bakken Bears Aarhus – Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles (B3)
Game one: Friday, March 1, Newcastle; Bakken Bears win 92-87
Game two: Wednesday, March 13, Aarhus; Bakken Bears win in overtime 96-92 (81-86)
Bakken Bears win on aggregate, 188-179
(A3) Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits – CSO Voluntari (B2)
Game one: Tuesday, March 12, Tartu win 83-76
Game two: Tuesday, March 26, Bucharest 19:00
(A4) Bristol Flyers – Šiauliai (B1)
Game one: Thursday, March 7, Šiauliai win 84-76
Game two: Tuesday, March 19, Šiauliai 18:00