JL Bourg-en-Bresse has gone on quite the journey over the years, and now it gets to play in its first-ever EuroCup Finals.

JL Bourg’s ascent shows no sign of slowing down

What a time to be a fan of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse. The club may be 114 years old, but Frederic Fauthoux’s men have done something that no other group in Bourg’s history has been able to do: make it to a European final.

There have been several stories of French clubs rapidly rising to the upper echelons of European basketball over the last few years, most notably AS Monaco’s jump from the French second tier in 2014-15 to becoming one of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague’s major forces less than a decade later. Paris Basketball, Bourg’s opponent in the BKT EuroCup Finals, was also playing in the second division as recently as 2020-21, too.

For Bourg, it has been on quite the journey. From a team that could not even make the second division playoffs 13 years ago, it now finds itself in uncharted territory as it looks to do something that has long seemed unthinkable: make the leap to the EuroLeague. Although a tricky best-of-three series with Paris awaits, Bourg has been on the right track for some time now, with its progression having been accelerated since the arrival of Coach Fauthoux in the summer of 2022.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">FINALES EUROCUP 2024 ⭐️<br><br>La JL Bourg est en finale d&#39;EuroCup face à <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParisBasketball</a> 🔥<br><br>2️⃣ clubs représentant la France<br>2️⃣ clubs qui écrivent leur histoire<br><br>Il n&#39;en restera qu&#39;un ⚔️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeRedy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeRedy</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/UFy5gwB6J2">pic.twitter.com/UFy5gwB6J2</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1775923785889157208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Julien Desbottes's project at Bourg

But first, let’s go back to 2012. Julien Desbottes had just become the president of Bourg and the club had experienced back-to-back years of failing to make the playoffs in the second tier. Promotion soon arrived in 2013-14, then Bourg hopped between the first and second divisions before returning to the top flight in 2017-18, where it has been ever since. 

The only major title that Desbottes has been able to witness Bourg win since becoming president was the second division trophy in 2016-17, when the club won the league, although he did see the team lift the second division version of the French Cup in 2015-16.

That’s not to say Bourg hasn’t come close to lifting more silverware. The club got to the French Cup final – the first division version – in 2018-19, its second consecutive year back in the first division, but it fell to Strasbourg, 98-97. Then, in 2022-23, it again reached the final but came up short once more, losing 74-83 to LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. Nevertheless, the club was making noise.

That second French Cup final appearance came in Bourg’s third season in the EuroCup, having debuted in the competition in the 2020-21 campaign. Playing continental basketball in addition to domestic hoops requires more investment, but also a greater demand on everyone involved: those in the front office, the coaches, the players, and even the fans. Yet, it is the only way in which a team can truly take a big step forward.

### EuroCup basketball in Bourg-en-Bresse

Bourg made a fleeting impression on its first voyage into the EuroCup, going a decent 6-4 in the regular season before a dismal 0-6 in the Top 16. The following year, 2021-22, was rather forgettable for Bourg as it finished second from bottom in the 10-team Group B with a 6-12 record. But things would soon change, with Laurent Legname being shown the door and Bourg president Desbottes taking a chance on Coach Fauthoux, who had just spent two years working as TJ Parker’s assistant at ASVEL, some 80 kilometers down the road.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;𝙒𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮&quot;<br><br>Check out coach Frederic Fauthoux words after his guys got the EuroCup final ticket yesterday🎫🗣️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> I <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JLBourgBasket</a> <a href="https://t.co/Pv0dd6A6L8">pic.twitter.com/Pv0dd6A6L8</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1775850541295280554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sometimes, a coach and a club can be a match made in heaven – and that seems to have been the case for Bourg and Coach Fauthoux. Following a 9-9 regular-season record in 2022-23, with Bourg finishing fifth in Group A, it went on the road and lost at Promitheas Patras in the EuroCup Eighthfinals, 89-75. It was not the result that the club was hoping for, but it was a good test in a single-legged playoff encounter. Domestically, Bourg finished fifth in the French top flight, its joint highest finish, having also come fifth in 2019-20 and 2020-21 – all of which have come under Desbottes’s reign.

And now we come to today. Bourg finds itself fourth in the French first division standings, level record-wise with ASVEL, a club with a budget that is almost three times bigger. In fact, almost everything about ASVEL is bigger: its trophy case, its arena… hell, even the city it plays in. Those in Bourg-en-Bresse, a city with 40,000 inhabitants, have always had to live in the shadow of the half-million population of Lyon, but basketball is firmly putting it on the map.

Courtesy of winning Group B with a 14-4 record, Bourg was able to bypass the eighthfinals, meaning it had already made European history before its quarterfinal tie with Prometey Slobozhanske had got away; never before had the club reached the last eight in European competition. Then, having home-court advantage proved key in the semifinals against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, as the decisive Game 3 took place at Ekinox and the 3,540-strong crowd pushed their team on to victory.

It all comes down to a single game, a one-and-done contest. Bourg returns to the comforts of its home floor, where it has a 10-1 record this season, while Besiktas boast one of EuroCup's best road accounts in 23/24 at 6-6, but whose dream ends here?

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse-Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul | Semifinals Game 3 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Bourg has long been known for being a club from a small city in France, but it now gets the chance to test itself against a highly ambitious team from the capital, Paris. However, all of the pressure is going to be on Paris heading into the EuroCup Finals, which is just how Bourg will like it.

Desbottes put a plan into action 12 years ago and is now seeing the results of what can be achieved with hard work, good decisions and a winning culture. We’ll soon find out if that’s enough to see Bourg win the EuroCup trophy and, with it, secure promotion to the EuroLeague.

The Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse fans cheer on their team during the club's matchup with Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

Having reached its first European final, the French club now hopes to make it to the EuroLeague

Bourg’s ascent shows no sign of slowing down

Paris Basketball v Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (2024-04-09T18:30:00.000Z)

Euroleague Basketball has announced the following disciplinary sanction pertaining to incidents that occurred in Round 15 of the BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

Semifinals, Game 3 disciplinary sanction

- Mr Bodian Massa, player of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse has been sanctioned with a fine of €9,000, for the attempted aggression against another individual, on the occasion of Game 3 of the EuroCup Semifinals against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul, under Article 27.2.e) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.
- Mr Dusan Alimpijevic, Head Coach of Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul has been sanctioned with a fine of €4,000, for the lack of respect towards a member of the officiating crew, on the occasion of Game 3 of the EuroCup Semifinals against Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse under Article 27.2.b) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code.

For the first time in competition history, the BKT EuroCup Finals will be an all-French League affair

BKT EuroCup Finals at a Glance

### Paris Basketball vs. Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse 

The 2024 BKT EuroCup Finals will feature two of the top teams in French basketball, which are both seeking to become the third club from their league in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague next season. Paris will host Game 1 as well as Game 3, if necessary, of the best-of-three series with the opener set for [Tuesday, April 9](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/paris-basketball-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2023/195/). Paris has the best record in the EuroCup this season after posting a 17-1 mark in the regular season and going undefeated in the playoffs, including a sweep of London Lions in the semifinals. Bourg finished the regular season atop Group B with a 14-4 record and reached the finals with a grueling 2-1 series win over Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in the semifinals. When they last met in the French League, Isiaha Mike and Maksim Salash scored 14 points apiece to lead Bourg to an 83-81 home win in December. 

Paris Basketball v Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (2024-04-14T22:00:00.000Z)

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v Paris Basketball (2024-04-12T17:30:00.000Z)

Semifinals MVP: TJ Shorts, Paris Basketball

Paris Basketball star guard [TJ Shorts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tj-shorts/012608/) knew that a place in the BKT EuroCup Finals was on the line and stepped up his performances to another level in the semifinals, causing headache after headache for a London Lions side that simply had no answer when it came to stopping him.

Shorts was instrumental in Paris sweeping its series with London, winning 2-0, and his 28.5 PIR average shows just how key he was. The 26-year-old, who was also the EuroCup Quarterfinals MVP, led all players in scoring during the semifinals, averaging 22.0 points per game, while he also topped the charts in assists (6.0) and steals (4.0). This, his fifth MVP honor of the season, is a reflection of his dominance.

His 7 straight points, following a three by Mikael Jantunen and a two-pointer by Tyson Ward, in the early stages of the third quarter in Game 1 took him to 17 points personal and helped Paris break the contest open, with the French side leading 54-49 at halftime and then up 17 points, 66-49, 2:46 into the second half. From there, Paris and Shorts, who finished with a 33 PIR and 23 points – both of which are the most by any player in the semifinals – as well as 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals, never looked back en route to a 99-86 win at Adidas Arena.

Paris Basketball star guard TJ Shorts knew that a place in the BKT EuroCup Finals was on the line and stepped up his performances to another level in the semifinals, causing headache after headache for a London Lions side that simply had no answer when it came to stopping him.
Shorts was instrumental in Paris sweeping its series with London, winning 2-0, and his 28.5 PIR average shows just how key he was. The 26-year-old, who was also the EuroCup Quarterfinals MVP, led all players in scoring during the semifinals, averaging 22.0 points per game, while he also topped the charts in assists (6.0) and steals (4.0). This, his fifth MVP honor of the season, is a reflection of his dominance.

TJ Shorts | Semifinals MVP | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Likewise, Shorts also stepped up late in Game 2 in the English capital. Having recorded 16 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals through the first 30 minutes, at which point Paris was narrowly ahead by two points, 64-66, Shorts helped put the game to bed by amassing 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals in the fourth quarter alone, taking his game tallies to 21 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals, the last of which was the most by any player in the semifinals. He had a 24 PIR in that game, too.

JL Bourg-en-Bresse is into its first-ever European final after beating Beşiktaş Basketbol in Game 3 of the 2023-24 EuroCup Semifinals, but everyone is keeping their feet on the ground.

Bourg keeping its eye on the prize after knocking off Besiktas

It was party time inside Ekinox when the final buzzer sounded on Wednesday night, with Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse reaching its first European final in club history following [an 89-63 Game 3 win over Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bourg-beats-besiktas-89-63-to-reach-the-eurocup-finals/).

The final scoreline didn’t reflect how tight things were through the first 30 minutes – Bourg led by six points entering the fourth quarter – but an emphatic finish to the game set up an all-French matchup with Paris Basketball in the BKT EuroCup Finals.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Their first EuroCup final for <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JLBourgBasket</a> and that&#39;s how they celebrate it👇👀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/YZOvhAkZmC">pic.twitter.com/YZOvhAkZmC</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1775619544876220481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Although the Bourg fans were having the time of their lives in the bleachers, and the likes of forward [Maksim Salash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/maksim-salash/004525/) and head coach Frederic Fauthoux were delighted with the result, there was a collective understanding afterward that a big challenge is coming up, starting next Tuesday night at Adidas Arena in the French capital.

“I think we had the perfect game in this semifinal, with great intensity, great energy,” Coach Fauthoux commented in the post-game press conference. “We controlled a lot of things in this game. I think we deserved to win today in this semifinal, but it’s not over. We are happy, but we’ll stay focused.”

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse head coach Frederic Fauthoux spoke to the TV cameras after his team's Game 3 triumph against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

Coach Fauthoux speaks post-Besiktas win

It was a similar rhetoric from Salash, who finished as the player of the game with 19 points, more than any other player. Salash helped Spanish side San Pablo Burgos become the Basketball Champions League champion in 2020-21 and now has the chance to lift the EuroCup with Bourg in his debut season in the competition, yet he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

“It’s my first season playing in the EuroCup and we’ve gone straight to the finals, so it feels amazing,” he noted in the flash interview courtside. “But we still have one more step to do, you know? Just the final \[awaits\]. We haven’t won yet, so we’ve got to work hard.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">LA JL BOURG EST EN FINALE D&#39;EUROCUP<br><br>JE RÉPÈTE LA JL BOURG EST EN FINALE D&#39;EUROCUP 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/sCcjTyZ0QA">pic.twitter.com/sCcjTyZ0QA</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1775614478211559447?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

One of the keys to Bourg’s success this season has been the way in which you never know which player will step up at any one time, which was exemplified by Salash’s big night.

Another bench player, [Axel Julien](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/axel-julien/011161/), came up big with 11 points – the same total he had in Bourg’s 86-74 win in Game 1 – while back-to-back threes from [Maxime Courby](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/maxime-courby/010450/), percentage-wise the sixth-best three-point shooter in EuroCup history (47.6%), saw Bourg make it 72-60 and then 75-60 in the fourth as the French side pulled away for good.

There was even the chance for 40-year-old guard [Earl Rowland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/earl-rowland/000498/) to get some minutes late in the game, with the veteran netting his 400th two-point shot in the EuroCup, the fifth most all time. 

There has been so much talk about [Zaccharie Risacher](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zaccharie-risacher/010718/), the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but Bourg regularly finds ways to come out on top. All eyes are likely to be on Risacher heading into the EuroCup Finals, but Paris should be warned: Bourg is a whole lot more than just its 18-year-old prodigy.

Game News

Axel Julien of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (right) is guarded by Marko Simonovic of Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (left) in Game 3 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

An all-French finals series against Paris Basketball awaits

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse v Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (2024-04-03T17:30:00.000Z)

Maksim Salash matched his EuroCup career high by scoring 19 points in JL Bourg-en-Bresse's Game 3 win against Beşiktaş Basketbol.

Maksim Salash had a night he and Bourg will never forget

All eyes were on [Zaccharie Risacher](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zaccharie-risacher/010718/) heading into [Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse’s win-or-go-home Game 3 clash against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bourg-beats-besiktas-89-63-to-reach-the-eurocup-finals/) on Wednesday night, yet it was his teammate, [Maksim Salash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/maksim-salash/004525/), who walked away as the hero.

 

The first half was a pretty tight affair, with Bourg leading 44-41 at the break, but Salash played a vital role in fighting off a Besiktas comeback attempt in the third quarter before the French side went on to win by a whopping 26 points, 89-63.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Y&#39;a pas de relâchement qui soit ! En défense comme en attaque, faut être pointilleux sur tous les fronts ⚔️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeRedy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeRedy</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/lRyFrAI9fB">pic.twitter.com/lRyFrAI9fB</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1775595129367044106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

With [Bodian Massa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/bodian-massa/012618/) having been ejected in the second quarter and [Kevin Kokila](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kevin-kokila/011837/) in foul trouble early in the third, it was Salash who ensured that Bourg retained a threat inside, scoring 11 third-quarter points. He also played an important role in getting the Besiktas players to collect fouls, drawing three in the third period alone.

 

Come the end of the night, Salash had a game-high 19 points, matching the career high he set at ratiopharm Ulm in Round 9, in 19 minutes on the floor, in addition to 4 rebounds and 5 drawn fouls. Only Kokila (8) and [JeQuan Lewis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jequan-lewis/012617/) (6) drew more fouls than Salash from a Bourg perspective, and only [Angel Delgado](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/), who was ejected alongside Massa, could match his 5 from the Besiktas side of things.

Maksim Salash had a game-high 19 points as Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse beat Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul 89-63 in Game 3 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

Maksim Salash's highlights vs. Besiktas

Salash, playing in his rookie EuroCup season, has shown that he is more than capable of playing at this level over the course of the campaign, yet he still retains a team-first mentality, something that is commonplace among the Bourg players.

“I guess I had the hot hand today, but it doesn’t matter, it’s a team effort,” Salash said afterward. “Everybody scored today for our team, so that says a lot. Our bench is very big – everybody is playing and contributing for the win.”

Maksim Salash of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse spoke to the media after his team's Game 3 triumph against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

Maksim Salash speaks post-Besiktas win

A tough-looking finals series against Paris Basketball awaits, but with Salash playing at this sort of level – and many of his teammates contributing, too – Bourg will certainly fancy its chances.

Maksim Salash looks to score for Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in Game 3 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

He stepped up big for his team in a do-or-die Game 3

JL Bourg-en-Bresse has made it to the EuroCup Finals after beating Beşiktaş Basketbol 89-63 in Game 3 of their best-of-three semifinal matchup.

Bourg beats Besiktas 89-63 to reach the EuroCup Finals

The BKT EuroCup Finals series is set after Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse defeated Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul 89-63 at Ekinox on Wednesday night in Game 3 of their best-of-three semifinal matchup. Bourg’s triumph means that it will face Paris Basketball in the finals in an all-French affair.

[Maksim Salash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/maksim-salash/004525/) paced Bourg on the night with a joint career high of 19 points, while [Axel Julien](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/axel-julien/011161/) added 11 and [Isiaha Mike](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/isiaha-mike/011836/) and [Kevin Kokila](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kevin-kokila/011837/) both chipped in with 10 apiece. [Derek Needham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/derek-needham/008945/) was Besiktas’s lone double-digit scorer on the night, netting 18.

Game Videos

The game got off to a good start for Bourg as it opened a 7-0 lead, with Besiktas’s first points of the night coming almost three and half minutes into the first quarter. Besiktas was able to keep things close through [Kyle Allman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kyle-allman/011924/) and [Kerem Konan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kerem-konan/011379/), with [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/) having to go to the bench with two early fouls, but Bourg was able to get scores from multiple players, like Kokila, Julien and Salash, as it ended the first 10 minutes with a 23-21 advantage.

Besiktas tied the game on a couple of occasions in the second quarter as Needham and Mathews combined to cause problems for the hosts, but Mike hit back a couple of times to ensure Bourg stayed in front, 33-30. However, after Needham and Mathews combined to give Besiktas its first lead of the night, 35-37, there was a coming together between [Angel Delgado](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/), [Bodian Massa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/bodian-massa/012618/) and Mike which resulted in Delgado and Massa being ejected from the game. Delgado got hit with an unsportsmanlike foul and a technical, whereas Massa was given a disqualifying foul. Five straight points to end the half saw Bourg lead 44-41 at the break.

[Jeremy Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jeremy-morgan/010431/), who was dealing with a bad ankle in the first half, reappeared for the second half and made quite the impression as he put Bourg 48-44 ahead, before foul trouble started to really affect Besiktas. Needham gave the Turkish side what proved to be its last lead of the game, 48-49, then not long after Mathews was called for his fourth foul, leading to a technical against head coach Dusan Alimpijevic. It looked as though it was going to become one-way traffic, but Besiktas’s bench guys, such as [Samet Yigitoglu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/samet-yigitoglu/011357/) and [Berk Ugurlu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/berk-ugurlu/003783/), used their hustle to keep things tight, with Bourg up 65-59 after 30 minutes.

[Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) went 1 for 2 from the free-throw line to start the fourth quarter, making it 65-60, but the wheels would soon fall off for Besiktas. Salash would score a layup, [Hugo Benitez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/hugo-benitez/010449/) netted a jumper and [Maxime Courby](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/maxime-courby/010450/) struck a corner three to suddenly make it a 12-point game, 72-60. Then, Mathews fouled out and Bourg capitalized by draining back-to-back threes, first from Courby and then from [Zaccharie Risacher](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/zaccharie-risacher/010718/), 78-60. Simonovic was the next to foul out, before Coach Alimpijevic received his second technical and was ejected. Bourg coasted the rest of the way en route to an 89-63 victory, having held Besiktas to just 4 fourth-quarter points.

Zaccharie Risacher of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse shoots a three-pointer against Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul in Game 3 of their matchup in the BKT EuroCup Semifinals.

The French side pulled away in the fourth quarter to continue its magical journey

The BKT EuroCup Finals series is set after Bourg defeated Besiktas 89-63 at Ekinox on Wednesday night in Game 3 of their best-of-three semifinal matchup. 

Game Center: Bourg makes the EuroCup Finals!

### [Bourg 89-63 Besiktas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bourg-beats-besiktas-89-63-to-reach-the-eurocup-finals/)

The BKT EuroCup Finals series is set after Bourg defeated Besiktas 89-63 at Ekinox on Wednesday night in Game 3 of their best-of-three semifinal matchup. Bourg’s triumph means that it will face Paris Basketball in the finals in an all-French affair. [Maksim Salash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/maksim-salash/004525/) paced Bourg on the night with a joint career high of 19 points, while [Axel Julien](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/axel-julien/011161/) added 11 and [Isiaha Mike](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/isiaha-mike/011836/) and [Kevin Kokila](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kevin-kokila/011837/) both chipped in with 10 apiece. [Derek Needham](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/derek-needham/008945/) was Besiktas’s lone double-digit scorer on the night, netting 18.

Having defeated Besiktas, Frederic Fauthoux's men will fight against Paris for the EuroCup title

Bourg and Besiktas are set to play Game 3 of the semifinals, with the winner joining Paris in the BKT EuroCup Finals.

Preview: Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse vs. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/194/#roster) | [Notes and Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ec2324-sf-g3-game-notes-facts-bou-bes/) | [Breawdown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/semifinals-breakdown-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-vs-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/) |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/tv-listings-ec/)

The 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Semifinals have come down to a single game, a one-and-done contest on Wednesday in which [Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse will host Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/194/) for a right to play in the finals.

Bourg returns to the comforts of its home floor at Ekinox arena, where it has a 10-1 record this season, having won six of those games by double-digit margins, including [an 86-74 victory over Besiktas in Game 1](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/190/). The team's top scorer, [Isiaha Mike](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/isiaha-mike/011836/) (13.0 ppg., 4.2 rpg.), shined in that series opener with 16 points and 6 rebounds,. He was joined by four other double-digit scorers that night, including [JeQuan Lewis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jequan-lewis/012617/) who had 14 points, 5 assists and 3 steals.

Besiktas, on the other hand, has been one of EuroCup's best road teams this season. Head coach Dusan Alimpijevic and his men have a 6-6 record away from home, including victories in one-and-done eighthfinals and quarterfinals games. But Besiktas used its home floor to tie this series on Friday, [beating Bourg 82-71 in Game 2](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul-mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2023/192/) with [Jonah Mathews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jonah-mathews/011936/) and [Matthew Mitchell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matthew-mitchell/012622/) scoring 17 points apiece, while [Angel Delgado](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/angel-delgado/012647/) collected 14 points and 9 rebounds. Mathews (15.1 ppg.) is Besiktas' top scorer and Delgado (12.0 ppg., 10.0 rpg.) is the competition's second-best rebounder.

The winner of this game will go on to face Paris Basketball in the best-of-three 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Finals, which are set to begin on Tuesday, April 9.

[Bourg Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/mincidelice-jl-bourg-en-bresse/statistics/bou/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Besiktas Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/statistics/bes/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Zaccharie Risacher vs. Matthew Mitchell

Bourg opened the tie with an 86-74 victory, in which they never trailed after the opening minutes and led by as many as 18. Besiktas are hoping to level matters and may rely on Angel Delgado, who was their top performer in Game 1 with 15 points and 16 rebounds.

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul -Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse | Semifinals Game 2 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

This marks uncharted territory for both teams. Besiktas will try to become the third straight Turkish team to reach the finals, whilst Bourg seeks to become the first French finalist since Strasbourg in 2016, but which will gain the advantage in the opening encounter?

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse-Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul | Semifinals Game 1 Highlights | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

Bourg and Besiktas are set to play Game 3 of the semifinals, with the winner joining Paris in the BKT EuroCup Finals