By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
In by far the most exciting game of the 2023-24 EuroCup season so far, Paris Basketball beat the London Lions 106 – 102 after two extra periods. Thanks to this win, Paris remains undefeated after four rounds while the Lions suffered their first loss.
Following, two major turnarounds – one for each team, a Sam Dekker triple at the buzzer that forced the first overtime, Paris ultimately got the win thanks to a 0 – 9 run in the second extra five, securing the win thanks to a pair of free throws by Sebastian Herrera with five seconds to play. The hosts were up 102 – 97 but fatigue took the best of them in the final minutes while Paris found the stamina and solid plays to come back and get the victory.
TJ Shorts had 24 points, six assists, five rebounds and five steals to lead Paris before he was fouled out during the second overtime period. Nadir Hifi added 20 points and Colin Malcolm scored 20.
Matthew Morgan dropped 26 points for the Lions while Sam Dekker delivered 19 points and 10 rebounds. Gabe Olaseni finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds four assists but also five turnovers.
After trailing 41 – 48 at halftime, the Lions reacted strong to go ahead 61 – 50 late in the third period. Paris then answered in the same currency to come back and take a 77 – 83 lead with 46 seconds left in regulation. The hosts managed to find quick points and took advantage of Shorts going 1-2 with his team up 81 – 83, for Dekker to send the game to the first overtime.
Besiktas was up 87 – 80 on the road against the Wolves Vilnius with 45 seconds to play but the hosts pulled off an impressive comeback to ultimately get the 90 – 88 win, their first this season.
Tre’Shawn Thurman had 31 points plus seven rebounds points and was the hero for the Wolves, pulling off a 4-point play for the 87 – 88 and then scoring the go-ahead bucket after a bad pass by Berk Ugurlu. Kristupas Zemaitis added 17 points.
Matthew Mitchell (21 points), Jonah Matthews (20 points) and Angel Delgado (18 points, six rebounds) stood out from Besiktas.
Hapoel Tel Aviv crushed the Hamburg Towers 111 – 72 behind 22 points by Xavier Munford to remain the other undefeated team in Group A, along with Paris. In Venice, Marco Spissu scored 24 points and dished out six assists as Reyer shut down Joventut Badalona 79 – 64.
2023-24 EuroCup, Round 4 Wednesday Results:
Wolves Vilnius – Besiktas 90 – 88
Reyer Venezia – Joventut Badalona 79 – 64
Hamburg Towers – Hapoel Tel Aviv 72 – 111
London Lions – Paris Baskteball 102 – 106