FC Bayern Munich ended a three-game skid with a 93-83 win over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on Thursday, March 26, at SAP Garden in EuroLeague action.
The result moved Bayern to 14-20 in the standings, days after the club was eliminated from postseason contention, while ASVEL dropped to 8-26 following its fourth consecutive defeat.
Justinian Jessup delivered the most productive scoring night of his EuroLeague career, finishing with 19 points to lead the German side.
Andreas Obst added 15 points, while center David McCormack produced a well-rounded performance with 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals.
The hosts built early momentum but had to withstand several scoring runs from the French side throughout the first half.
Bayern controlled most of the opening quarter and led by as many as six points before ASVEL briefly moved ahead 15-14.
The home team still held a narrow 19-18 advantage after the first 10 minutes.
Momentum shifted late in the second quarter when ASVEL knocked down three three-pointers in the closing minutes to take a 42-39 lead into halftime.
The game remained tightly contested after the break as neither team managed to create separation.
The Bavarian club carried a slim 64-63 lead into the final period before gradually pulling away in the closing minutes.
ASVEL remained within reach when Thomas Heurtel converted a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 84-81.
Bayern responded with the next eight points, creating the separation needed to secure the victory. The German side finished with 20 assists and only seven turnovers, a statistic Pesic pointed to as a key factor in the outcome.
ASVEL received 16 points from Armel Traore, while Heurtel recorded 13 points and 10 assists.
Bayern will host Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul on April 1, while ASVEL returns home to face Olympiacos Piraeus on April 3.
