By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys secured their first win of the season in the BKT EuroCup, defeating Aris Midea Thessaloniki 84-74 at Kalnapilio Arena.
Deividas Sirvydis was the top scorer for the winning side with 21 points, but Gediminas Orelik stole the show with 19 points and eight rebounds, resulting in a PIR of 25. Nikola Popovic followed with 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in 17 minutes.
On the losing side, Vassilis Toliopoulos had 19 points, while Silvio Samuel de Sousa recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Roberto Gallinat finished with 15 points.
After a loss to Buducnost in the EuroCup opener, Lietkabelis now holds a 1-1 record, while Aris suffered another defeat in Group B after falling short against defending champs Gran Canaria in the first round.
Besitkas dominant against Prometey
Prometey Slobozhanske opened the match in Istanbul with a 10-2 run, but after that, Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul took over, turned the score around until the first break, and never looked back to grab a convincing 92-70 win.
Yigit Arslan had a terrific match for the hosts, scoring 24 points, shooting 5-7 for three, including a half-court buzzer-beater in the dying moments. Jonah Mathews followed with 22 points, Angel Delgado delivered a double-double of 11 points and rebounds, while Matt Mitchell scored 12 points.
Arslan from WAY DOWN TOWN! #MagicMoment I @BJK_Basketbol pic.twitter.com/JQQr52Fhjj
— BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) October 10, 2023
For Prometey, whose coach Ronen Ginzburg was stuck in Israel during the Hamas attack but managed to get out and travel to Istanbul for the game, Tai Odiase was the top scorer with 16 points, while Caleb Agada added 12.
Besiktas confirms a great start to the season, earning a second victory after stunning Joventut in Badalona in Round 1. Prometey got the first loss after a crushing win over Hamburg in the opener.
London Lions triumph in Hamburg scoring galore
London Lions are off to a great start in the new EuroCup campaign, as they recorded their second win, defeating Veolia Towers Hamburg 94-100 on the road.
The British team came to Germany without head coach Petar Bozic, who remained in London due to illness, but still prevailed, let by Matt Morgan’s great scoring performance with 21 points.
Gabe Olaseni and Tarik Phillip each added 18 points, while Conor Morgan was on the verge of a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds. Round 1 hero, Donte Grantham, finished with 10 points.
Aleksander Dziewa’s 28 points weren’t enough for Hamburg, while Seth Hinrichs with 16, Ajlami Durham with 13, and Mark Hughes with 10 points followed him.
Bourg grabs a road win in Trento
After defeating Slask Wroclaw at home in the EuroCup opener, JL Bourg got a first road win, defeating Dolomiti Energia Trento 72-79.
Bryce Brown led the scoring for the winning side with 17 points, but Kevin Kokila was the most efficient with 11 points and eight rebounds for a PIR of 22. Maksim Salash had 13 points, Isaiah Mike 12, and Hugo Benitez was an assist shy of a double-double with 10 points.
For Trento, Paul Biligha was on the verge of a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Quinn Ellis followed him with 14 points.