Game Report: Joventut clinch opening leg triumph in Tbilisi
TBILISI (Basketball Champions League) - Divina Seguros Joventut seized command of their Basketball Champions League Qualification Round 1 tie with Dinamo Tbilisi by winning the opening leg in Georgia on Monday, 72-60.
Patrick Richard, one of the big signings for the Spanish outfit in the summer, led the way with 20 points.
.@prichard_3 with the ⚡️ thunderous jam in transition for @Penya1930! #BasketballCL pic.twitter.com/nuqjMP38Ws
— #BasketballCL (@BasketballCL) September 19, 2017
Good team win on the road! Back home tomorrow and strap up in a day again! Let's get it! #fbe #forcapenya
— Patrick Richard (@prichard_3) September 19, 2017
With the score knotted at 45-45 late in the third quarter, the Spanish club reeled off 10 unanswered points to take command for good.
During the run which Sergi Vidal capped early in the fourth quarter with a jump shot, Albert Ventura and Xabi Lopez drilled 3-pointers.
Joventut got some impressive contributions from two of their youngsters.
Nineteen-year-old Nenad Dimitrevic poured in 13 points, handed out 4 assists and collected 4 rebounds and Simon Birgander had 9 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Dinamo Tbilisi, led by Nikoloz Tskitishvili's game-high 23 points, will hope for a change in fortunes on Thursday when the sides play the second leg at the Pavello Olimpic de Badalona in Spain.
The club that ends up advancing will have to win two more qualifying round ties to reach the Regular Season.
