Valencia Basket grabs their first win in the Last 16 with an 86-82 victory against VEF Riga.
The Last 16 Round of this year Eurocup started this Tuesday in Spain where Valencia hosted VEF Riga in their first match of Group J.
On the Spanish side, Rafa Martinez was the main attraction of the game with 27 points and another excellent performance from downtown (5-6 from 3 point range). Martinez was well seconded by the rest of the starting five that all finished in double digits in scoring and Stefan Markovic who tied a Eurocup assists record with 11.
For Riga, Earl Rowland return to Spain was in great style with 21 points and 9 assists performance. Kristaps Janicenoks continued his good performances in this year’s competition finishing with 16 points and Donatas Zavackas added 18.
The game started with back and forth actions on both offensive sides by the teams, and with a 0-14 run on the late 2nd quarter the visitors went to halftime with a 6 point lead (39-45).
To begin the 3rd quarter it was the time for Valencia to make their effort where Doellman and Markovic ignited an 18-1 run to take a 67-58 lead.
But in the 4th period, VEF Riga incited a solid defensive scheme which leads to a slight recuperation that made them within 3 with 1 minute to go. Markovic with a dagger 3 point cut all the hope that the Latvians had to win the game and then it was a free throw competition until the buzzer sound.
Wednesday will be full of great games where all the teams will play to finish the week 1 of this Last 16 round of Eurocup.