Crvena Zvezda Dominates ASVEL with Commanding 79-65 Home Victory

Moneke Shines as Crvena Zvezda Returns to Winning Ways

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade delivered an emphatic performance in front of 16,872 passionate home fans, defeating LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 79-65 in Round 7 of EuroLeague action. The Serbian powerhouse built a commanding lead through the first three quarters before weathering a late ASVEL surge to secure their fourth win in five home games this season.

The victory was spearheaded by Nigerian forward Chima Moneke, who produced a masterclass performance with 24 points on an incredible 9-of-10 shooting from the field. Moneke's efficiency rating of 35 was by far the highest of any player on the court, as he added seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals in just over 21 minutes of action. His perfect 8-for-8 performance on two-point attempts showcased his dominance in the paint and ability to finish at the rim.

Dominant First Half Sets the Tone

Crvena Zvezda established control early, winning the first quarter 21-17 before completely overwhelming the French visitors in the second period. The home side's defensive intensity reached its peak during that crucial second quarter, limiting ASVEL to just eight points while adding 18 of their own to build a 39-25 halftime advantage. This 14-point cushion would prove vital as the game progressed.

The home team's balanced attack during the opening half saw contributions from multiple sources. Codi Miller-McIntyre orchestrated the offense with precision, while Nikola Kalinic provided veteran savvy and Stefan Miljenovic contributed on both ends of the floor. The starters combined for a plus-61 rating, demonstrating their collective dominance during their time on court.

Third Quarter Extension

Rather than allowing ASVEL back into the contest, Crvena Zvezda extended their advantage in the third quarter. Outscoring the visitors 23-15, the Serbian club pushed their lead to 62-40 entering the final period. Donatas Motiejunas, the experienced Lithuanian big man, contributed key baskets and provided rim protection during this stretch, finishing with four points and two steals in his 13 minutes of action.

The bench also made important contributions during the game. Semi Ojeleye provided a spark with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting, including three three-pointers that helped stretch ASVEL's defense. Ognjen Dobric added 11 points of his own, connecting on three triples in just over 15 minutes of play. The Serbian sharpshooter's ability to knock down shots when defenses focused on Moneke proved crucial to maintaining offensive flow.

ASVEL's Fourth Quarter Fight

To their credit, ASVEL refused to surrender quietly. The French side mounted a spirited fourth-quarter comeback, winning the final period 25-17 and showing the fighting spirit that had helped them secure a victory over Dubai Basketball in their previous outing. Melvin Ajinca led ASVEL's scoring effort with 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including three three-pointers, while Mbaye Ndiaye contributed 10 points and demonstrated efficiency with his 3-of-4 performance on two-point attempts.

Nando De Colo, the veteran French guard with extensive EuroLeague experience, came off the bench to provide playmaking with four assists, though his four turnovers reflected ASVEL's overall struggles with ball security. The visitors committed 20 turnovers as a team, which Crvena Zvezda converted into easy transition opportunities throughout the contest.

Playmaking and Distribution

One of the key differences in the game was Crvena Zvezda's superior ball movement and decision-making. Miller-McIntyre finished with seven assists against just two turnovers in nearly 28 minutes, demonstrating excellent floor leadership. Yago Dos Santos added seven assists off the bench, though his 1-of-8 shooting performance highlighted that this was a pass-first game for the Brazilian guard.

ASVEL's Bastien Vautier contributed four assists from the starting center position, showcasing his passing ability from the high post, while substitute Adam Atamna added five helpers in limited minutes. However, ASVEL's 22 total assists couldn't overcome their turnover issues and shooting struggles, particularly from beyond the arc where they connected on just 7-of-37 attempts for a dismal 18.9 percent.

Defensive Intensity Makes the Difference

Crvena Zvezda's defensive performance, especially in the critical second quarter, proved to be the game's defining factor. The home team's ability to contest shots, force turnovers, and limit second-chance opportunities frustrated ASVEL's offense throughout most of the contest. The Serbian side's defensive rebounding was particularly effective, with Kalinic pulling down four defensive boards and Miljenovic adding five of his own from the wing position.

Ebuka Izundu provided energy off the bench with four offensive rebounds in 16 minutes, giving Crvena Zvezda extra possessions and wearing down ASVEL's interior defenders. The Nigerian center's activity around the basket complemented Moneke's scoring excellence and helped maintain offensive pressure even when initial shots didn't fall.

Three-Point Shooting Disparity

While neither team shot particularly well from three-point range, Crvena Zvezda's 8-of-30 performance (26.7 percent) was significantly better than ASVEL's 7-of-37 (18.9 percent). This five-point advantage from beyond the arc, combined with Crvena Zvezda's dominance in the paint where they shot 59.5 percent on two-point attempts, created an offensive efficiency gap that ASVEL couldn't overcome.

Zachary Seljaas managed just one three-pointer on six attempts for ASVEL, while Glynn Watson went 0-for-2 from deep despite playing over 27 minutes. The visitors' inability to generate consistent perimeter scoring allowed Crvena Zvezda's defense to pack the paint and contest drives, further limiting ASVEL's offensive options.

Looking Forward

This victory improves Crvena Zvezda's impressive home record and continues their strong form following wins over Baskonia, Real Madrid, and Zalgiris Kaunas at their fortress. The team's ability to dominate for three quarters while maintaining composure during ASVEL's fourth-quarter push demonstrates growing maturity and championship mentality.

For ASVEL, the loss continues a difficult stretch that has seen them drop four of their last five games. The French club will need to address their turnover issues and perimeter shooting woes if they hope to climb the EuroLeague standings. Despite the loss, Armel Traore's perfect 3-of-3 shooting and Bodian Massa's physical presence in limited minutes provided some positives to build upon.

The 14-point victory margin accurately reflected Crvena Zvezda's superiority on this evening, as they controlled tempo, executed their game plan, and received stellar individual performances when needed. With Moneke playing at this elite level and the supporting cast contributing consistently, the Belgrade side appears poised to maintain their strong position in the EuroLeague standings as the season progresses.