The Romanian champs are back in business with their sixth win in the last eight games
Cluj overcame absences, turnovers to keep charging
Artikel
3 Lesezeit
U-BT Cluj-Napoca is back to a winning record and just one win away from second place in Group B after a dramatic 89-86 win over visiting Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse on Wednesday. The Romanian champions, which opened the season with a 0-3 record, have now won six of their last eight games, including four straight at home.
It also did so despite some major absences.
Team leader and last season's All-EuroCup guard Patrick Richard is missing in action since Round 5, and will be out long term with a broken forearm. Meanwhile, Adam Mokoka who has been averaging 12.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists of the bench, missed this game.
The problem turned out to be an extra motivation for Cluj.
"It's a really good [victory]," star guard Zavier Simpson said after the win. "We held it down for the guys on the sideline, Pat [Patrick Richard] and Adam [Mokoka] who are not able to join us on the court."
What's more, Cluj had 23 turnovers in this game, and with Cluj clinging to a 84-79 lead, Karel Guzman fouled out with 1:45 to go as Bourg was threatening to come back.
The visitors did rally and took the lead on a four-point play by Xavier Castaneda, just 37 seconds before the final buzzer, but the man responsible for committing that foul, DJ Seeley, redeemed himself 15 seconds later. Seeley used all his calm and experience to knock down a corner three with 22 seconds to go, giving the hosts an 86-84 lead, which Cluj preserved.
"Being able to protect our home floor against a phenomenal team, it's good," Simpson added. "It's a team-effort win."
Simpson was a front and center of it, playing all but 87 seconds of this 40-minute contest, and scoring 27 points and dishing a club record 11 assists.
But alongside Simpson, there was big man De'Shawn Stephens who was 7-for-7 on two-pointers, scoring 7 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter. And there was Seeley, who also had 7 of his 14 points in the fourth.
All that helped Cluj overcome not only absences of key players on this night, but also 23 turnovers.
Game Videos
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Bt3SoMaLDc4/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/fT9j4iI9Nv4/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse-Umana Reyer Venice | Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:36
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/08f66a7a-e67e-4697-a293-912167e07be0.jpg?crop=1261%3A709%3Anowe%3A24%3A89]()
Courby goes from defense to offense! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/da540dff-7fcd-4b28-99ae-3edac2f31ed5.jpg?crop=1209%3A679%3Anowe%3A85%3A97]()
Simpson's circus shot! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/08f50204-31da-4227-966d-e88c93cd0cc0.jpg?crop=1211%3A681%3Anowe%3A77%3A36]()
Pansa dunks off Castaneda’s alley-oop pass! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Jji9axLj4fs/maxresdefault.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse | Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:28
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/ce750352-36a6-4eaf-a17d-105f866432fe.jpg?crop=1191%3A670%3Anowe%3A103%3A62]()
Seeley's three to take the lead for good! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/40a8fb17-a93a-470d-bbf2-ba8aeb7bcd48.jpg?crop=1271%3A715%3Anowe%3A0%3A68]()
An open lane for Guzman's dunk! Magic Moment
- 00:30
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/049e436b-d82f-40d6-b6ab-f0f547d742e7.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A83%3A172]()
Big hustle, big dunk! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/UuuwT3QFVM8/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse-Veolia Towers Hamburg | Round 10 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 01:08
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/03/SpbHF4HY1DPXok9DVX6Qqf2UJSaF1rKt-1733265615701.jpg]()
Darius Thompson: 'Whoever came in competed'
- 00:27
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/03/BTGH04Yt0du0CkpC3jILvLWipkRMQLOn-1733264308516.jpg]()
Guzman with the massive dunk on the break! Magic Moment of the Night
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/FJpaXHEPEzc/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Anadolu Efes Istanbul-FC Bayern Munich | RS Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/9699c983-d978-48e4-ab59-59bd3a23002f.jpg]()
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 10 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:20
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b0b54eee-4e11-4843-9f1b-adc96077decc.jpg?crop=1246%3A701%3Anowe%3A0%3A53]()
Nwora's huge slam! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:27
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/83d8db43-3bd1-414f-986e-1f896e0789bd.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A100%3A62]()
Bryant beats the buzzer! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b94d736d-4a84-41ce-8524-4dac8951f622.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A100%3A36]()
Booker throws it down! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/6f2ab088-9fb2-49bf-8afa-cd5359c80bd6.jpg?crop=737%3A414%3Anowe%3A237%3A54]()
Hankins throws it down! Magic Moment
- 00:19
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/28/fqsidqDwWGesOmT3nVCvT8CS55xax7vp-1732833407181.jpg]()
Simpson-Hankins connection! Magic Moment of the Night
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b7272e42-e295-4671-9794-f450837be81d.jpg]()
Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse-Valencia Basket | Round 9 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/368cf634-f384-46dc-a028-77d0c608211c.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A123%3A167]()
Castaneda's circus shot! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/9e7fbb9f-b9c1-43c3-8b5f-c4827720c7f0.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A135%3A146]()
Kokila's alley-oop dunk! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/1IQTDgXgJiw/maxresdefault.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Aris Midea Thessaloniki | Round 9 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/da09db6a-b68a-46db-ab98-3242e4652862.jpg?crop=1240%3A698%3Anowe%3A55%3A56]()
Benitez from midcourt! Magic Moment
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5b091b35-661b-4107-8ca5-71df3383c017.jpg]()
Pansa throws it down! Magic Moment
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/09297ac2-b6ab-46cf-9f1c-0c365e106183.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A135%3A146]()
Karel Guzman throws it down! Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/eac35cf2-259e-4e41-9e87-d3f96e48eaa5.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A97%3A111]()
Simpson finds Stephens! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c4939711-3f3e-4026-8135-6e80134041f3.jpg]()
Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem-Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse | Round 8 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/3eO7M5jQ2PM/maxresdefault.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys | Round 8 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/cd448098-5569-427c-8424-49c9c3cd0d6c.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A62%3A47]()
Hankins seals the win! Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/036b9fba-0741-4789-8c5e-a987b5bc4aed.jpg?crop=816%3A459%3Anowe%3A408%3A42]()
Mokoka's big block! Magic Moment
- 00:26
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/06/9ofb2uIxmvwEQU6QgWqeXIGXtE89ilwo-1730932628276.jpg]()
Kokila throws it down! Magic Moment of the Night
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/ocb71ZYVov0/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana-Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse | Round 7 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/UUdbw5b2mWs/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Turk Telekom Ankara-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 7 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:17
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b129e6a6-c920-44d0-aae0-22f7b792e56e.jpg?crop=1016%3A572%3Anowe%3A135%3A122]()
Kokila throws it down! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/06508736-2828-4938-bfbd-26c41e4a69cb.jpg?crop=1350%3A760%3Anowe%3A0%3A119]()
Ayayi's behind-the-back pass! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/db77921a-307c-41e8-b92f-20ebb6555f4a.jpg]()
Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse-Aris Midea Thessaloniki | Round 6 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/05-fy0KZRYY/maxresdefault.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Umana Reyer Venice | Round 6 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/be225c53-61ae-4d64-8587-e394c30de726.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A18%3A161]()
Monster block by Mokoka! Magic Moment
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/684607d5-263f-45a7-8cc0-5b1a23babb9f.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A112%3A71]()
What a monster dunk by Guzman! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/MSuVFOJWT2A/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem-U-BT-Cluj-Napoca | Round 5 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/5wCtW3OXwCk/maxresdefault.jpg]()
7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys-Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse| Round 5 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5b091b35-661b-4107-8ca5-71df3383c017.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A85%3A47]()
Pansa rejects Maldunas! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/nVv73iwP8Ws/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Veolia Towers Hamburg-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 4 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e6b72f01-53d9-4ebe-90a0-b24f62ba33f4.jpg]()
Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse-Turk Telekom Ankara | Round 4 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 03:48
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/09/cQhjRbA9q1Cmm9p0gscm01y8OatbxvGN-1728499844772.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Valencia Basket | Round 3 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:22
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/374362fb-7f20-4f6a-b455-a40ffe8b5cf3.png?crop=750%3A422%3Anowe%3A0%3A90]()
Guzman slams home a powerful dunk! Magic Moment
- 03:52
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/08/ip6NP4IcETBK5bpLXneEI7dnwBc5wyOv-1728420036757.jpg]()
Umana Reyer Venice-Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse | Round 3 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/717339c0-02f6-4a0d-87fb-3b851db061ad.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A109%3A41]()
Pansa buries it! Magic Moment
- 03:40
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/02/8Ti2tM5pWK6VShQkzCFb3IWcV9cWwoTE-1727900909529.jpg]()
Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 2 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
"I think it says a lot about our offense", Coach Mihai Silvasan explained after the game. "On 23 possessions we did not shoot the ball and we still scored 89 points."
"Hopefully we can use this win to keep us going with the same energy," Simpson concluded.
Indeed, that will be the goal for Cluj. Next week, in the final EuroCup game of this calendar year, the team will travel to face the unbeaten Valencia Basket, before trying to make a playoff push in the final six regular season games in January and early February.