By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Becoming the sixth player in Basketball Champions League history to put up at least 40 points in a single game, Mindaugas Kuzminskas was not enough for AEK Betsson in Gameday 4 of the Round of 16. Carrying his side with 19 points in the fourth quarter and 15 more points over three overtime periods was countered by determined Hapoel Holon.
Besides losing a game after mishandling multiple opportunities to seal the win, AEK was also eliminated. With two games remaining in the double-legged round-robin schedule of Group L, falling to 0-4 ruled out any slim chance to qualify for the Quarterfinals. After starting Group D of the Regular Season with five straight wins and clinching a berth in the Round of 16, forced to the wrong end of the next five outings prompted the early exit.
Kuzminskas, 34, was on a mission to keep his side alive but settled with entering the record books of the BCL. Among the six players flying over 40 points, the Lithuanian forward was the first to post a double-double. To unlock the achievement on a career night, he pulled down 11 rebounds in a heartbreaking losing effort.
Setting a new individual best in overtime by surpassing the previous mark of 30 points was overshadowed by both sides exchanging blows in unsuccessful efforts to secure a win. Failing to combine his brilliant display with a win, he entered the list of players with the most points in a single Champions League game by making bucket after bucket, following in the footsteps of Keifer Sykes, Jimmy Baron, Martin Zeno, Braian Angola, and Rion Brown.
Best scoring showings in BCL history
| Points | Team | Season | ||
| 1 | Keifer Sykes | 43 | Sidigas Avellino | 2018-19 |
| 2 | Jimmy Baron | 42 | Neptunas | 2016-17 |
| – | Martin Zeno | 42 | CSM CSU Oradea | 2016-17 |
| 4 | Braian Angola | 41 | Pinar Karsiyaka | 2022-23 |
| 5 | Rion Brown | 40 | Kataja | 2016-17 |
| – | Mindaugas Kuzminskas | 40 | AEK Betsson | 2023-24 |
A veteran of 69 NBA games with the New York Knicks and 186 appearances over ten campaigns in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Kuzminskas is nearing the conclusion of his second consecutive campaign in the BCL. From 10.5 points per contest over eight games played with Pinar Karsiyaka in the 2022-23 installment of the Champions League, he is up to 17.4 points per contest over seven appearances this season.
The overtime stories
Dealing with foul trouble and fatigue, head coaches implemented unusual lineups as overtime periods piled up in Ano Liossia Olympic Sports Hall on Tuesday. Missed opportunities to seal the win from the free-throw line and the visitors dug their way out of a ten-point hole down the stretch of the second overtime. At the end of the day, one team had to win.
“That is one of the craziest games I have ever been a part of,” admitted Drew Crawford after recovering from an injury at the end of the first extra period and finishing with a team-high 19 points.
Playing any game across professional sports behind closed doors is a controversial decision, especially considering the exciting contest played in Athens. Certainly far from a normal situation. However, the reduced capacity for home affairs of AEK stemming from a sanction issued by the league due to the incidents in last season’s playoff meeting with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem already added to the debate whether such penalties punish team loyals instead of the clubs. As in other similar cases, the majority of the followers wanting to spend an enjoyable evening were not involved with the incidents eventually preventing them from entering the gym.
Unpredictable sequences extending action into a third extra period for the third time in league history was witnessed by approved media representatives with fans limited to watching the nail-biter from home.
Back in the opening Gameday of the inaugural Regular Season of the BCL, Rosa Radom outlasted PAOK, 93-85, after three overtimes. From Gameday 1 of the 2016-17 Regular Season to Gameday 1 of the 2017-18 Regular Season, Umana Reyer Venice defeated Banvit, 108-101. In the latest 55-minute battle, it was Gameday 4 of the Round of 16 with both sides chasing a win to stay in the race for a spot in the Quarterfinals. Unmatched drama.
Other original achievements attached to the team coached by Amit Sherf and spoiling the career night of Kuzminskas included becoming the first away team to prevail in a triple-overtime contest. Reaching a second overtime on three previous occasions, the Israeli club constantly fell shy of a win. A third extra period did the trick. No other team has played more than two double-overtime games in the history of the league.
In a complicated campaign for Hapoel Holon, multiple injury issues have limited options for Sherf, besides home fixtures at the continental level being moved to neutral venues. Drawing the win over AEK was highlighted by all eight players in the rotation scoring at least ten points, a new BCL record. And retained hope for a berth in the Quarterfinals.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League