ASVEL had no answer for the German team's duo
Veteran-rookie combo of Hermannsson-Williams gives ALBA first win
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ALBA Berlin finally tasted victory for the first time this season thanks to the combination of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague veteran Martin Hermannsson and rookie Trevion Williams.
Hermannsson scored 17 of his 21 points in the third quarter and Williams collected a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds as ALBA defeated LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 84-79 to improve to 1-2.
Hermannsson was playing his 79th EuroLeague game in his fifth season while Williams is just three games into his EuroLeague career after starring last season for ratiopharm Ulm in the BKT EuroCup.
The 30-year-old Icelandic point guard was just three points off his career high of 24 points and he also contributed 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Hermannsson knocked down 3 of 4 on three-pointers — all three makes coming in his big third quarter.
“Coach had been telling me all season I have to shoot more threes. I have been a good three-point shooter but maybe I am trying to find my teammates too much sometimes,” said Hermannsson, who had made 1 of 3 triple attempts through the first two games. “It makes my offense much easier when I am aggressive and I am coming off the picks to shoot. It felt good today, they were going in.”
Hermannsson did not add on his points total in the fourth quarter as ASVEL was making a comeback, saying: “I would have liked to have scored some more in the fourth. It would have been a little bit better.”
Williams is making his EuroLeague debut this season after being named to the 2023-24 All-EuroCup First Team and leading the EuroCup in rebounding (10.8 rpg). The 24-year-old added 6 assists and 1 block for a performance index rating of 19 against ASVEL.
"I thought our energy all game was great. There was never a low point. We have to keep building off it. It’s always good to win. Even if it’s ugly, it’s always good to win. We have to keep building,” said Williams.
Williams’s effort on the glass helped ALBA win the rebounding battle 46-34 including 17 offensive rebounds. The American center had 4 offensive rebounds. He also stepped up late with an assist, free throw and two rebounds in the final 52 seconds to help secure the win.
Hermannsson and Williams are just learning to play with one another and if they continue to work together like they did against ASVEL, the veteran-rookie combo could help ALBA to more wins.