Cluj downs Aris 74-89 to march into playoffs
U-BT Cluj-Napoca returned to the BKT EuroCup Playoffs thanks to a 74-89 win over Aris Thessaloniki on Wednesday night. Cluj finished Group A with a 10-8 record, while Aris finished the regular season in a last place in the group with a 3-15 record. Cluj took control - and the lead - for good with a 0-13 second-quarter run and then broke the game wide open in the third quarter.
DJ Seeley scored 16 of his 22 points in the first half for the winners. Sasu Salin netted 18 points, Zavier Simpson collected 13 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds, De’shawn Stephens added 12 points and Karel Guzman had 10 in the victory. LJ Figueroa paced the hosts with 13 points, Josh Roberts scored 12, Trey Woodbury 11 and Sharife Cooper 10 points in defeat.
Game Videos
- 00:22
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/02/05/UuQpe2wfOHFBVPsew9SQkgv2zZtns68j-1738795224029.jpg]()
Woodbury drives baseline for poster slam! Magic Moment of the Night
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c11bce19-a32f-4b67-9741-4be53fe450d9.jpg]()
Aris Midea Thessaloniki-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 18 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/95d78fb8-76e6-4bb6-8f46-5c908f73d153.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A135%3A159]()
Woodbury’s fastbreak slam! Magic Moment
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/f0fcf968-4842-4d13-ab6f-3abbd2ea4a9a.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A99%3A117]()
Woodbury drives baseline for poster slam! Magic Moment
- 00:27
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/01/29/VwiYerO6eMSF5XTf40pE2gJHLIWYglyN-1738187145494.jpg]()
Figueroa rejects from behind! Magic Moment of the Night
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/f1f5f203-8006-48de-b07f-05ba0d0b3236.jpg]()
Aris Midea Thessaloniki-Veolia Towers Hamburg | Round 17 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:19
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/58505cdc-c17a-4a41-a0ec-e12858a2baaa.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A193%3A85]()
Figueroa rejects from behind! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/GJsnDy3lASk/maxresdefault.jpg]()
7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 17 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:25
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/314dfc99-6bba-4873-9e85-4578020f92a8.jpg?crop=1136%3A639%3Anowe%3A184%3A90]()
What an assist by Mokoka! Magic Moment
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2183c7a3-9f3c-4105-acd0-089253215742.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A167%3A25]()
Mokoka swats Stenionis! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c221ebde-ce89-4560-9d2c-5ade2109832b.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-Aris Midea Thessaloniki | Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/57ba786e-4e6d-409a-a07c-c679b9164a81.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Turk Telekom Ankara | Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/cd5bc455-e41a-4367-a103-92808b23f8f3.jpg?crop=1288%3A724%3Anowe%3A31%3A30]()
Lovely team baseline move by Cluj! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/r_IM8-CGA2U/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Umana Reyer Venice-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/05ff8965-56a0-42c2-ac7f-457f2bf26508.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A135%3A118]()
Salin creates a fastbreak from the floor! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e4708395-9756-48ca-bffd-0bb83dd71484.jpg]()
Aris Midea Thessaloniki-Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse | Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a88fc0b9-9773-40b6-849e-f8112d5d7b26.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A167%3A39]()
Zimpson dances and scores! Magic Moment
- 01:04
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/01/10/JC34xLT7Kf7PSHayqXO3hc5euw6aVEiz-1736546557952.jpg]()
Joel Bolomboy: 'This win took everybody'
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/slHz0j0Lueo/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade-Paris Basketball | RS Round 20 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:30
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/01/10/1S79MK4nFo4tP3eMbFCljRugzWPgfTzu-1736546752368.jpg]()
Big dunk from Davidovac! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/748b42fc-ffcc-48f5-a08b-8cb7bf990c45.jpg?crop=844%3A475%3Anowe%3A253%3A0]()
A monster dunk from Hayes! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/9688830d-8bed-4e48-bfa4-caefc2212018.jpg]()
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana-Aris Thessaloniki | Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c5c4946d-f4ae-4bdc-8dc0-09a52372ac70.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem | Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/292b724d-953f-4590-a792-ede9d1eebb00.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A106%3A41]()
Stephens posterizes Smith! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/55ab7e7e-56b5-4f65-ba51-d968ecfadcab.jpg?crop=4800%3A2700%3Anowe%3A225%3A637]()
An impossible three from Toliopoulos! Magic Moment
- 00:35
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/01/03/VeqxBSjYkLltGasXC4tfAOifP5cPOKoH-1735939361522.jpg]()
Mokoka takes off for the massive dunk! Magic Moment of the Night
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Y9kg3RC5GC0/maxresdefault.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Veolia Towers Hamburg | Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/bb684647-7ca2-4db3-bacb-d87a9aaaf699.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A173%3A146]()
Mokoka takes off for the massive dunk! Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2e41e3d1-0b0e-439b-98c4-eb7a4a38913a.jpg?crop=1004%3A565%3Anowe%3A269%3A78]()
Hankins finds Mejeris for the slam! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e6003d64-5e5c-4386-9ff0-a85023270f68.jpg]()
Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem-Aris Midea Thessaloniki | Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Bt3SoMaLDc4/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 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
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/ADe7hkcccCI/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Aris Midea Thessaloniki-7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys | Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![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
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/zzJ9Vgml_zw/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Turk Telekom Ankara-Aris Midea Thessaloniki | Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 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://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/69d88395-6f1a-4bfe-8706-6715aedcad0b.jpg]()
Aris Midea Thessaloniki-Umana Reyre Venice | Round 10 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 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://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/9699c983-d978-48e4-ab59-59bd3a23002f.jpg]()
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 10 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:09
![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://img.youtube.com/vi/1IQTDgXgJiw/maxresdefault.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Aris Midea Thessaloniki | Round 9 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 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
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/de19609b-49e0-4461-9bfb-daf83823f15c.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A138%3A53]()
Banks bangs one home! 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
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/cfd994c7-06d3-4c66-a369-b29bbdb48cda.jpg?crop=838%3A471%3Anowe%3A372%3A52]()
Banks' double block! Magic Moment
![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
Seeley netted a pair of triples, but Cluj was trailing early as Figueroa scored the first 6 points for Aris, all from close range, before Roberts joined in the scoring run. Willis added a three-pointer, the first for the hosts. A layup from Roberts opened a 19-12 lead, but Seeley nailed his third triple, before Stephens and Mareks Mejeris closed the gap, and Aris was ahead only 23-21 after 10 minutes.
Woodbury kept Aris ahead with a triple early in the second, but that’s when Cluj went on a surge. Salin’s four-point play started a 0-13 run, in which Salin had another three-pointer while Tudor Somacescu and Karel Guzman had layups to help open a 26-36 lead. A triple from Georgios Gkiouzelis ended the hosts’ drought, but a three-point play from Zach Hankins and a third triple from Salin made it 33-45. Aris got an offensive spark from Cooper who made a three-pointer and then a spin move to get to the rim and close the gap to 42-48. Seeley scored the last 5 points of the half, including a triple that made it 42-53 at halftime.
Cluj scored the first 7 points of the third quarter, with Guzman’s big dunk and Seeley’s triple capping a run. Seeley’s corner triple opened a 44-63 advantage, but Woodbury had a pair of big dunks to spark a 7-0 run. After Aris got within 53-65, Salin nailed a triple and another basket and Cluj led 55-72 going into the fourth quarter.
A fastbreak basket from Simpson and a triple from Salin made it 55-77 early in the fourth, and Cluj was on its way to victory. A pair of baskets from Stephens extended the margin to 58-82. Aris kept showing fight, scoring the next 9 points, but Cluj was in control and cruising to a playoff-clinching win.
