By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
First gaining interest from Fenerbahce and then finding a done deal to move to Maccabi Tel Aviv, Saben Lee’s offensive talent will be showcased soon at the EuroLeague.
First, however, he made sure Manisa Basket could benefit once again in the Basketball Champions League of his abilities. The Turkish team, which is playing for the very first time in the International competition, beat FMP SoccerBet 101-97 in a narrow encounter on the road, staying 2-0 in Group H.
The American guard, after erupting for 36 points on the road against UCAM Murcia, even improved himself with an amazing 43-point night (13/21 FG, 14/18 FT) in Belgrade, tying the All-Time BCL single game scoring record.
Off the bench, the French playmaker Hugo Besson had an all-around night with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists. He’s set to take over following Saben Lee’s departure. Far away from the perimeter but close to the rim, Lithuanian center Martynas Echodas had 17 points and grabbed 9 boards.
Playing at home in Serbia, FMP SoccerBet never surrendered throughout the encounter and fired back every time the Turkish opponent tried to find a way to escape. They mainly did so thanks to a duo that didn’t start the game: Matic Rebec and Danilo Tasic combined for 45 points.
Manisa Basket will surely have to deal with the departures of both Saben Lee (to Maccabi Tel Aviv) and Javon Freeman-Liberty (to the Chicago Bulls) but can build on a 2-0 in their Basketball Champions League Regular Season trajectory. In Group H, yesterday UCAM Murcia bounced back over Peristeri.
Game press conference:
PHOTO CREDIT: Basketball Champions League