By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
After being unbeaten in the first three games of the 2022-23 Basketball Champions League season, Surne Bilbao Basket suffered its first loss against Igokea.
Bryant Crawford led the Bosnian team to the 84-81 on-the-road victory with 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Stefan Djordjevic, who ended the game with 16 points and 9 rebounds, and Nikola Tanasković’s double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds, were also decisive for Dragan Bajic’s side.
Without Ludde Hakanson, who was out for injury and had scored in double-figures in his three BCL games with Surne Bilbao this season, after making it only once in his previous 16 games in the competition, it was tough for Jaume Ponsarnau’s team.
Adam Smith had 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists off the bench. Alex Reyes followed with the same amount of points despite not being in the starting five.
Agustin Ubal and Jeff Withey added 11 points apiece, once again off the bench.
As expected, then, Bilbao was way better in points off the bench (59 vs 27), but Igokea had better numbers in both points in the paint (48 vs 36) and in rebounds (43 vs 35). Both teams struggled to shoot from deep (Bilbao 27.27%, Igokea 25%).
Bilbao suffered its first loss but manages to remain on top of Group D. On the other side, Igokea isn’t at the bottom anymore after Bahcesehir’s win against ERA Nymburk.
PHOTO CREDIT: Basketball Champions League