U-BT Cluj-Napoca showed impressive fight and determination as it beat Hapoel Jerusalem in the EuroCup on Wednesday night.

Cluj outmuscled Hapoel with steely defense and hustle 

Flying after a 67-103 demolition of Veolia Towers Hamburg in the previous round of the BTK EuroCup, U-BT Cluj-Napoca carried its momentum into Round 5 for [an impressive 73-81 victory at Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/resilient-cluj-holds-firm-to-stun-hapoel-jerusalem-73-81/).

[Karel Guzman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/karel-guzman/011797/) stood out with a career-high 20 points for Cluj, which prevailed in almost all departments as the visitors won the battle of the boards 46-34 and nailed 11-of-26 three-pointers against a mere 6 of 23 sank by the Israeli outfit.

In addition, Cluj was clinical from the foul line as the visitors buried 10-of-12 free throws while Hapoel made 19 of 30, highlighting the home team’s scoring woes. With both sides hustling and playing aggressive defense, turnovers piled up at both ends as Cluj committed 22 and Hapoel had 16.

However, Cluj did a better job sharing the ball as it racked up 17 assists while Hapoel only managed 12 against a stingy visiting defense which cut out the supply routes to the home side’s shooters.

Despite Guzman’s heroics, including a clutch three-pointer which completed Cluj’s 0-13 run for an unassailable 67-80 lead in the closing stages, it was the relentless [Adam Mokoka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/adam-mokoka/012698/) who won the player of the game award with 14 points and 9 boards.

“It’s a good team and very talented offensively but we never stopped fighting,” Mokoka said in a post-game courtside interview. “We had ups and downs, but from the beginning to the end we kept playing together and that’s how we got this win. We are in a good spell right now and we will try to build from here."

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Cluj head coach Mihai Silvasan was pleased with his team’s effort but also rued a serious injury suffered by captain [Patrick Richard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/patrick-richard/011801/).

“I am very happy with the performance and the fact that we won on a very difficult court against a good team,” he said.

“It’s a sign that we are growing from game to game in our effort to become a better team. Unfortunately, we just found out that our captain Patrick Richard suffered a double fracture to his hand and we’re very sad about that. We need to move forward step by step and be a team in every sense of the word.”

In Round 6, Cluj is at home to Umana Reyer Venice while Hapoel visits Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana as the battle for postseason spots in Group B intensifies.

Game News

The hosts endured a torrid night against the physical Romanian outfit, which forced a barrage of tough shots and dominated the boards

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2024-10-23T16:30:00.000Z)

Trento defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv BC 79-73 in Round 5 of the 2024-25 EuroCup season to stun the Israeli side.

Trento shocks Hapoel with fourth-quarter comeback, 79-73 

Dolomiti Energia Trento pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the young BKT EuroCup season as it shocked Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv 79-73 at home, bouncing back from two bad losses in a row. Trento trailed by nine points with under seven minutes to go against the EuroCup title contender before finishing the game on a 20-5 run. 

Anthony Lamb scored nine of his 23 points in the final stretch and Jordan Ford tallied 17 points as Trento improved to a 2-3 mark in Group A. The Italian team had lost its last two games by 21 and 40 points and Hapoel had won its last three games. Marcus Foster was on his way to becoming the hero before Trento’s big finish, scoring 18 points, while Johnathan Motley collected 16 points and 6 rebounds in a losing effort. Hapoel fell to 3-2 in the group.

Game Videos

Trento scored the first four points of the game, with a second score from Lamb giving the Italian side a 10-4 lead. A three-pointer by Toto Forray increased the cushion to 17-8 as Trento’s defense held strong in the early going. Eigirdas Zukauskas twice scored to extend the gap to double figures 26-16 and the home side was up 26-18 after 10 minutes.

Saliou Niang opened the second quarter with a triple for the home side, which gave Trento a 29-18 lead. The hosts’ offense stalled with just one jumper over the next 6:10 minutes while Motley scored eight points in a 2-14 run to pull Hapoel ahead, 31-32. Trento punched back with a 10-2 surge to move back ahead 41-34 and went into the break with a 41-38 lead.

Lamb’s triple early in the second half was matched by a Foster three-pointer and Motley gave the guests the lead, 44-45. Lamb continued his strong game with another score while Foster knocked down another triple. The game remained tight and the lead changed hands three times in the final 61 seconds of the third quarter, with Hapoel 57-58 ahead after 30 minutes.

Hapoel started the fourth quarter better, especially Foster, who had eight straight points including two dunks for a 59-68 advantage with under seven minutes to go. Trento picked up its defense and held the guests scoreless for nearly five minutes to even the game at 68-68. And Myles Cale converted a four-point play to make it 72-70 with 1:45 minutes to go. Joe Ragland evened the game, 73-73, with a three-pointer with 49 seconds to go, only to have Lamb hit a fadeaway jumper with 32 seconds remaining to put the hosts back up. Lamb added a blocked shot and two free throws to his stat line with 15 seconds to go for a 77-73 lead to ice the game.

The Italian side responded after suffering two heavy defeats in Rounds 3 and 4

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2024-10-23T18:00:00.000Z)

Bahcesehir College Istanbul continued its winning ways, using a big third-quarter run en route to beating Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 75-92 on Wednesday night. Bahcesehir improved its record to 4-1, tied for the best in Group A, while Buducnost dropped to 2-3 record.

Bahcesehir sinks Buducnost on the road, 75-92

Bahcesehir College Istanbul continued its winning ways in the BKT EuroCup, using a big third-quarter run en route to beating Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 75-92 on Wednesday night. Bahcesehir improved its record to 4-1, tied for the best in Group A, while Buducnost dropped to a 2-3 record. 

The two teams traded runs, and leads, but with a 0-17 run to end the third quarter, Bahcesehir turned a slim deficit into a 14-point lead and never looked back. Axel Bouteille paced the winners with a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds. Jaleen Smith finished with 20 points, Sehmus Hazer collected 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, while Marko Simonovic had 13 points and 7 rebounds. For Buducnost, Fletcher Magee scored all of his 23 points in the first half. Yogi Ferrell netted 19, while Rasheed Sulaimon scored 12 in a losing effort.

The visitors jumped ahead right away with a three from Tyler Cavanaugh, as well as baskets from Tai Odiase and Smith. The latter also knocked down a triple, but so did Ferrell and Sulaimon to cut it to 10-12. But Bahcesehir scored the next 7 points, a run capped by another three from Smith to make it 10-19.  Buducnost did not score a field goal for more than four minutes until Ferrell nailed a transition triple, and Magee's four-point play got the hosts' deficit within four points before Hazer made it 20-26 after 10 minutes.

What Magee started late in the first, he continued early in the second, first hit a long jumper, then a corner triple, followed by another four-point play to cut it to 29-30. McKinley Wright put Buducnost in front. Bahcesehir needed nearly five minutes for its first field goal in the second quarter, a CJ Massinburg's triple which snapped an 11-0 run, and tied things at 33-33. A triple and two-pointer from Bouteille helped restore Bahcesehir's lead, 38-41, only for Buducnost to go on another 11-0 run, with Magee sinking a pair of triples and Ferrell adding one. The hosts opened a 49-41 lead, but the visitors halved it from the free-throw line, making it 49-45 at halftime.

Baskets were far fewer and far between in the third quarter. Hazer did make a triple to put Bahcesehir up 49-50, but big men Andrija Slavkovic, Kenan Kamenjas and Nikola Tanaskovic restored a lead for the hosts, 56-53, midway through the third quarter. But Bouteille scored after an offensive rebound, Simonovic nailed a three-pointer, then after a timeout, Bouteille hit a transition triple. A close-range basket from Odiase and a buzzer-beating triple from Hazer made it 56-70 after 30 minutes.

Bahcesehir needed almost three minutes to score in the fourth, but Buducnost scored just five points in that span, not using its defensive effort to full extent. Ferrell's three-point play cut it to 66-76, but Bouteille knocked down a triple on the other end. A tough runner from Smith helped the visitors open a 69-83 lead, as they were in full control. Wright and Ferrell hit a triple apiece to cut it to 75-84, but that's as close as the hosts got as Smith led Bahcesehir's final charge and a 17-point win, the game's largest margin of the night.

Dejan Radonjic's men grabbed their fourth win of the season

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2024-10-23T17:30:00.000Z)

KK Cedevita Olimpija beat Aris BC 75-82 in Round 5 of the 2024-25 EuroCup to improve to a 4-1 record.

Cedevita rallies back to down Aris, 75-82

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana completed a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Aris Midea Thessaloniki 75-82 at Palais De Sports on Wednesday night. Aris was leading for the majority of the game, but Cedevita outscored the hosts 14-28 in the last quarter to clinch the victory and improved its record to 4-1. Having recorded its third home loss of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season, Aris dropped to 1-4.

Jaka Blazic led all scorers with 19 points and Devin Robinson netted 18, with DJ Stewart and Rok Radovic scoring 15 and 10, respectively. For the hosts, Vassilis Toliopoulos bagged a team-high 17 points, followed by Landers Nolley, who scored 15. D'Moi Hodge recorded 12 points and David DeJulius added 10. Cedevita went 4-32 over the last two seasons and now finds itself 4-1, showing the marked improvement the team has made this year.

James Banks got Aris going with a mid-range jumper before Nolley nailed a triple for a 5-0 lead. Yet, Cedevita responded, with Robinson registering his first three points of the game to tie it at 7-7. Trey Woodbury and Banks scored in the paint to put Aris back ahead, but the visitors responded with a 0-7 run inspired by Robinson and Blazic, both of whom took their tally to six early points for an 11-16 lead. Then, Vassilis Toliopoulos drilled two straight triples, but DeVante Jones put Cedevita back in front with a layup, 17-19. Yet, a three-point play from Toliopoulos and a buzzer-beating put-back bucket from Emmanouil Chatzidakis gave Aris a 24-23 lead after 10 minutes.

A slow start to the second half saw the two teams struggle to get a field goal for almost three minutes before DeJulius splashed a triple to make it 27-25. Then, Aris went on a 7-0 run as Blazic and Nolley traded baskets before the latter slammed a dunk in transition and Hodge nailed a triple to extend Aris’ lead to 38-29. Five points from Toliopoulos and a DeJulius jumper allowed the hosts to maintain a 45-35 cushion. Hodge drilled a second three-pointer, but Blazic made 2 of 2 from the line to reduce the difference to 48-37 at the break and moved into sixth place all-time in the EuroCup with 284 made free throws.

Woodbury sank a triple to start the third quarter and Banks scored down low for a 53-41 Aris lead. Yet, Cedevita responded, with Blazic netting his team’s first triple of the game to inspire a 2-11 surge that brought them within 55-52. But Aris tightened its defense and responded with a 6-2 run of its own to take a 61-54 lead into the closing quarter.

Smooth ball circulation allowed Hodge to nail his fourth triple, but Rok Radovic responded from beyond the arc, trimming the deficit to 64-57. Five points from Robinson and another six from Blazic put Cedevita ahead, 68-71. No field goal was scored for three minutes before Robinson netted one from inside to extend Cedevita’s lead to 70-76 with 2:23 left on the clock. Aris fought back, with Nathan Laszewski scoring a put-back basket and Toliopoulos nailing one from downtown to cut the difference to 75-78 with one minute remaining. But Cedevita was clinical on the other end, with a Robinson dunk sealing the outcome.

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2024-10-23T17:00:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket proved why it is arguably the strongest candidate to win the competition, downing Turk Telekom, the 2023 finalist, behind a spectacular first half in which head coach Pedro Martinez's team did everything well. 

Valencia blew things open in rock-solid first half

Valencia Basket is the last remaining undefeated team in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup, having leaned on an outstanding first half to [demolish Turk Telekom Ankara 87-101](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/valencia-routs-turk-telekom-87-101/) on the road in Round 5.

The Spanish side proved why it is arguably the strongest candidate to win the competition, downing Turk Telekom, the 2023 finalist, behind a spectacular first half in which head coach Pedro Martinez's team did everything well.

First of all, Valencia shot the ball incredibly well, burying 14-of-21 two-pointers (66.7% 2FG), 8-of-13 three-pointers (61.5%) and 6-of-7 free throws (85.7% FT). Ojeleye scored 8 of his 13 first-half points in the opening minutes, setting the tone early. He was one of five Valencia players that scored 5 points or more in the first half.

Valencia was incredibly efficient in all other aspects of the game. It outrebounded Turk Telekom 18-10 in the first half, getting 14 defensive rebounds and allowing Turk Telekom to get just 1 offensive board. In other words, Valencia grabbed 93.3% of all rebounds under its rim. Turk Telekom grabbed 10 of 14 total rebounds under its basket (71.4%).

Semi Ojeleye had 21 points to lead Valencia to an 87-101 road win over Turk Telekom Ankara in Round 5 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup Regular Season.

Ojeleye leads Valencia past Turk Telekom

When it comes to ball circulation, Valencia was near-perfect in the first half, dishing 16 assists and limiting its turnovers to just 6. Turk Telekom had twice as many turnovers (10) than assists (5). The hosts had no first-half steals to Valencia's 4. All that, added to the fact that the guests forced Turk Telekom into low shooting percentages (47.1% 2FG, 33.3% 3FG), allowed Valencia to get a 32-58 margin at halftime, more than enough to control the game until the final buzzer.

When the dust settled, Valencia had broken the 100-point mark for the fourth consecutive game. All 12 Valencia players scored at least 4 points: Ojeleye led the way with 21. Valencia had 11 second-half turnovers and ended up having more (17) than its opponent (17) but its great job before the break gave Turk Telekom no chance.

"We played well for 30 minutes, not for 40. Ok, maybe it is difficult to remain with 100% concentration with the \[score\] difference is big," Coach Martinez said. "But it has to be a goal for other games in which we have this lead."

Pedro Martinez's men were too good for Turk Telekom
 

Turk Telekom Ankara v Valencia Basket (2024-10-23T16:30:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca downed Hapoel Jerusalem 73-81 in Round 5 of the 2024-25 EuroCup season, ending the hosts' three-game winning streak in the process.

Resilient Cluj holds firm to stun Hapoel Jerusalem, 73-81

U-BT Cluj-Napoca celebrated its second successive road win of the season in the BTK EuroCup and improved to 2-3 in Group B, with a majestic performance in the home straight propelling the Romanian side to a 73-81 defeat of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem.

The effervescent Karel Guzman paced Cluj with a game-high 20 points, while hard-working Adam Mokoka chipped in with 14 points and 9 boards. Kevin Hervey scored 17 points and Zavier Simpson added 15 for the visitors, who shocked the Israeli side with their fast-paced transition and quick movement of the ball.

At the other end, Jared Harper poured in 19 points, Khadeen Carrington netted 11 and Justin Smith scored 10 for Hapoel, which dropped to 3-2 and saw its three-game winning streak snapped after a poor shooting night against the visiting team’s physical defense.

Having carved out a 22-26 lead at the end of the first quarter on the back of 8 points from sharpshooting Guzman, Cluj then engineered a 0-11 run early in the second to open up a 28-37 advantage as Hapoel struggled to cope with the visiting team’s pace and intensity.

Cluj led 36-44 at halftime but Hapoel responded in the third quarter with some great hustle and offensive rebounding, slashing the deficit to 60-63 ahead of the final 10 minutes as the hosts played with more intent and purpose after the long break.

A comeback appeared to be on the cards as Hapoel further beefed up its defense and drew level 67-67 midway through the fourth quarter, but Cluj saved its best for last. Galvanized by a pair of successive triples, the Romanian side pulled away to 67-80 and the run was capped by a deep spot-up three from Guzman, who shot the lights out as he made 8 of 13 from the floor, including 4 of 8 from downtown.

Hapoel, which was kept scoreless for 4:30 minutes down the stretch, launched one last push in a bid to force the final twist but the home team’s effort fell short as Cluj was able to run the clock down in the final 90 seconds.  

The Romanian outfit saw its first-half lead erased before conjuring a decisive 0-13 run down the stretch

Valencia Basket remains the only undefeated team in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup after thrashing Turk Telekom Ankara 87-101 in the Turkish capital in Group B on Wednesday night. 

Valencia routs Turk Telekom, 87-101

Valencia Basket remains the only undefeated team in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup after thrashing Turk Telekom Ankara 87-101 in the Turkish capital in Group B on Wednesday night. 

Valencia improved to 5-0 in Group B while Turk Telekom dropped to 3-2. Semi Ojeleye led the winners with 21 points in 20 minutes. Sergio de Larrea added 12 while Josep Puerto had 11 for Valencia. Braian Angola led Turk Telekom with 23 points, Anthony Brown had 18 and Yoan Makoundou added 11. Valencia led 32-58 at halftime and never looked back.

Olivier Hanlan got Turk Telekom going with a floater, then Xabi Lopez-Arostegui and Nate Sestina gave Valencia a 2-4 lead. The guests found a go-to guy in Ojeleye, who struck twice from downtown and added a wild dunk to boost his team's lead to 6-12. Kyle Alexander scored down low and Angola, making his debut, added a three-pointer that kept Turk Telekom close, 11-14. Brancou Badio and Puerto each hit one from beyond the arc, but Brown answered with consecutive baskets for a 15-20 score. Jaime Pradilla joined the three-point shootout, Nate Reuvers scored down low and Badio's fast-break layup gave Valencia a 15-27 margin. Ismet Akpinar got the hosts closer, 17-27, after 10 minutes.

 

Stefan Jovic buried a jumper early in the second quarter. Max Heidegger and Ojeleye traded three-pointers, then Brown's jumper brought Turk Telekom within 22-32. De Larrea scored in the mid post and Matt Costello added a three-point play, good for a 22-37 Valencia margin. De Larrea followed a driving layup with a triple and Ethan Happ added a fast-break layup that broke the game open, 23-44. De Larrea kept pacing Valencia with a backdoor layup. Berkan Durmaz and Hanlan stepped up for the hosts, Happ answered with a three-point play and Pradilla's layup kept the guests way ahead, 29-51. Sestina, Jovic and Puerto boosted Valencia's lead to 32-58 at halftime. 

Hanlan and Ojeleye each struck from beyond the arc soon after the break. Matt Costello stepped up with a reverse layup and Ojeleye bettered Angola's put-back layup with another triple that gave Valencia a 38-66 lead. Ojeleye buried a fadeaway jumper, Brown answered from downtown and Sestina's layup restored a 41-70 Valencia margin. Brown took over with an outstanding dunk but Nate Reuvers and Lopez-Arostegui made the hosts call a timeout at 45-76. Goran Filipovic and Melih Tunca each found their first points, then Puerto's three-pointer boosted the guests' lead to 48-81. Angola and Brown kept Turk Telekom within 52-81 after 30 minutes.

Both teams kept fighting for points difference even when everything was said and done in the final 10 minutes. Badio downed a three-pointer, then Angola followed a driving layup with an eight-meter bomb to bring Turk Telekom a bit closer, 62-86. Valencia started to use longer possessions to run the game clock down. Sestina finished one of those with a catch-and-shoot triple that restored a 64-89 margin. Turk Telekom rallied in the final minutes, but it was too little, too late for the hosts as Valencia had cruised to a no-doubt-about-it road victory.

The Spanish side scored 100 points or more for the fourth straight game

There are five games tonight in the EuroCup as Round 5 comes to a close.

Game Center: Round 5 continues with five games tonight!

## Wednesday, October 23

### [Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem 73-81 U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/hapoel-bank-yahav-jerusalem-u-bt-cluj-napoca/U2024/46/)

Cluj celebrated its second successive road win of the season in the BTK EuroCup and improved to 2-3 in Group B, with a majestic performance in the home straight propelling the Romanian side to a 73-81 defeat of Hapoel Jerusalem. The effervescent Karel Guzman paced Cluj with a game-high 20 points, while hard-working Adam Mokoka chipped in with 14 points and 9 boards. Kevin Hervey scored 17 points and Zavier Simpson added 15 for the visitors.. At the other end, Jared Harper poured in 19 points, Khadeen Carrington netted 11 and Justin Smith scored 10 for Hapoel.

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### [Turk Telekom Ankara 87-101 Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/valencia-routs-turk-telekom-87-101/)

Valencia remains the only undefeated team in the 2024-25 EuroCup after thrashing Turk Telekom 87-101 in the Turkish capital in Group B on Wednesday night. Valencia improved to 5-0 in Group B while Turk Telekom dropped to 3-2. Semi Ojeleye led the winners with 21 points in 20 minutes. Sergio de Larrea added 12 while Josep Puerto had 11 for Valencia. Braian Angola led Turk Telekom with 23 points, Anthony Brown had 18 and Yoan Makoundou added 11. Valencia led 32-58 at halftime and never looked back.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">𝙑𝘼𝙈𝙊𝙎𝙎𝙎𝙎𝙎 🧡<br>Sumamos la victoria en Ankara<br><br>⚪ <a href="https://twitter.com/TT_Basketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TT_Basketbol</a> 87<br>🟠 <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@valenciabasket</a> 101<br>🏆 J5 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a><br>🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/puleva?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@puleva</a><br><br>Ahora, ¡vamos a por el doblete con el de la Fonteta! 🧡 <a href="https://t.co/Mg336TASlc">pic.twitter.com/Mg336TASlc</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1849156209716109734?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Aris Midea Thessaloniki 75-82 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/aris-midea-thessaloniki-cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/U2024/50/)

Cedevita pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Aris 75-82 at Palais De Sports on Wednesday. Aris was leading for the majority of the game, but Cedevita outscored the hosts 14-28 in the last quarter to clinch the victory and improved its record to 4-1. Having recorded its third home loss of the 2024-25 EuroCup season, Aris dropped to 1-4.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sl" dir="ltr">ZMAGA! Sanjski drugi polčas v Solunu za 4. zmago sezone na evropskih parketih!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevaDruzina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevaDruzina</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BKTEuroCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BKTEuroCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/xi6r86IEER">pic.twitter.com/xi6r86IEER</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (@KKCedOL) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL/status/1849165920075465099?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

### [Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 75-92 Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/buducnost-voli-podgorica-bahcesehir-college-istanbul/U2024/45/)

Bahcesehir continued its winning ways in the EuroCup, using a big third-quarter run en route to beating Buducnost 75-92 on Wednesday night. Bahcesehir improved its record to 4-1, tied for the best in Group A, while Buducnost dropped to a 2-3 record. The two teams traded runs, and leads, but with a 0-17 run to end the third quarter, Bahcesehir turned a slim deficit into a 14-point lead and never looked back. Axel Bouteille paced the winners with a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds. Jaleen Smith finished with 20 points, Sehmus Hazer collected 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, while Marko Simonovic had 13 points and 7 rebounds. For Buducnost, Fletcher Magee scored all of his 23 points in the first half. Yogi Ferrell netted 19, while Rasheed Sulaimon scored 12 in a losing effort.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">BKT EuroCup | A Grubu 5. Maç | Maç Sonucu | Buduċnost VOLI 75 – 92 Bahçeşehir Koleji<br><br>• Axel Bouteille: 21 sayı, 12 ribaund, 2 asist<br>• Jaleen Smith: 20 sayı, 1 ribaund, 3 asist<br>• Şehmus Hazer: 14 sayı, 6 ribaund, 6 asist <a href="https://t.co/OykeDEXOHR">pic.twitter.com/OykeDEXOHR</a></p>&mdash; Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@BKBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol/status/1849175588571131987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Dolomiti Energia Trento 79-73 Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/dolomiti-energia-trento-hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/U2024/44/)

Trento pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the young BKT EuroCup season as it shocked Hapoel 79-73 at home, bouncing back from two bad losses in a row. Trento trailed by nine points with under seven minutes to go against the EuroCup title contender before finishing the game on a 20-5 run. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A well-worked win for <a href="https://twitter.com/AquilaBasketTN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AquilaBasketTN</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/1S9eNlHgGe">pic.twitter.com/1S9eNlHgGe</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1849181641693950169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

## Tuesday, October 22

### [7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys 84-80 Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys-cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/U2024/49/)

Lietkabelis snapped its four-game losing streak by handing Bourg its first defeat of the season in the opening game of Round 5 on Tuesday. Marko Pecarski pulled off a man-of-the-game display, going 9-for-9 on field goals and allowing the Lithuanian side to improve their record to 1-4. Having suffered a loss for the first time in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup campaign, Bourg dropped to 4-1. Pecarski recorded a team-high 22 points and Dovis Bickauskis made 4 triples to end the game on 16 points. For the visitors, Xavier Castaneda scored a game-high 23 points.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HUGE first win of the season for <a href="https://twitter.com/BCLietkabelis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BCLietkabelis</a>! 🔒<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/lORrmzX8Bq">pic.twitter.com/lORrmzX8Bq</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1848789119972888707?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul 82-76 Joventut Badalona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul-joventut-badalona/U2024/42/)

Besiktas improved its record to 3-2 after a sublime fourth quarter from center Emanuel Terry helped it past Joventut Badalona in a thrilling contest. Terry racked up the bulk of his 10 points and 6 boards in the home straight, shooting 5 of 5 from the floor and every one of those efforts were clutch shots, including a pair of spectacular slam dunks. Kyle Allman paced Besiktas with 16 points. Ante Tomic tallied 17 points and 7 boards for Joventut, which dropped to 2-3 after a second successive defeat.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Akatlar&#39;da galibiyet bizim! 💪 <br><br>Beşiktaş Fibabanka 82-76 Joventut Badalona | Maç Sonucu <br><br>🦅 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Be%C5%9Fikta%C5%9FFibabanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeşiktaşFibabanka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Potan%C4%B1nKartallar%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PotanınKartalları</a> <a href="https://t.co/9kSaCZBiov">pic.twitter.com/9kSaCZBiov</a></p>&mdash; Beşiktaş Fibabanka (@BJK_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol/status/1848802211192836116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Trefl Sopot 92-99 Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/trefl-sopot-wolves-twinsbet-vilnius/U2024/41/)

Wolves managed to pull off a hard-fought road win when it defeated Trefl Sopot at Ergo Arena on Tuesday night. Despite enjoying a 13-point advantage right after halftime, the visitors saw how the hosts forced overtime with a three-pointer with 26 seconds to play in regulation. A strong 10-0 run to start overtime, behind three-pointers by Andrew Andrews, finally turned the scales for the visitors. Wolves improved to 2-2 after earning their second straight win on the road. Trefl Sopot remains winless after 4 rounds. Tre´Shawn Thurman led the winners with 17 points and 4 rebounds. Marcus Weathers posted a career-high 25 points in defeat.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pl" dir="ltr">Druga dogrywka w EuroCup niestety bez szczęśliwego zakończenia ❌<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PolandTravel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PolandTravel</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/plkpl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#plkpl</a> <a href="https://t.co/E6lDonfvII">pic.twitter.com/E6lDonfvII</a></p>&mdash; MISTRZ POLSKI 2024 🏆 (@treflsopot) <a href="https://twitter.com/treflsopot/status/1848820509904896053?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Umana Reyer Venice 80-68 Veolia Towers Hamburg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/umana-reyer-venice-veolia-towers-hamburg/U2024/47/)

Reyer snapped a three-game losing streak as it fought for a home victory over Hamburg in Group B to keep the guests winless. Reyer opened a 23-point third quarter lead but watched as Hamburg pulled back to within 9. Rodney McGruder led the way with 28 points in his first EuroCup game for the 2-3 team while Aamir Simms scored 14 points and Amedeo Tessitori chipped in 10 points and 8 rebounds. Hamburg dropped to 0-5 despite Jaizec Lottie scoring 13 points. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Gli orogranata trionfano con Hamburg in un Taliercio caldissimo 🔥 Avanti così leoni!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/finoallafine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#finoallafine</a> <a href="https://t.co/amNBYwT7pq">pic.twitter.com/amNBYwT7pq</a></p>&mdash; Reyer Venezia (@REYER1872) <a href="https://twitter.com/REYER1872/status/1848819095698817461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Dreamland Gran Canaria 125-78 ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/dreamland-gran-canaria-ratiopharm-ulm/U2024/43/)

Gran Canaria left no doubt about its power by thrashing Ulm at home. Gran Canaria improved to 4-1 in A while Ulm dropped to 3-2. Miquel Salvo led the winners with 20 points and Jovan Kljajic, Nico Brussino and Caleb Homesley each scored 13. Noa Essengue paced Ulm with 20 points and Alfonso Plummer added 18 in the loss. 

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏀 Final: <br><br>🐥 Dreamland Gran Canaria 125<br>⚫️ ratiopharm Ulm 78<br><br>🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VamosGranca?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VamosGranca</a> <a href="https://t.co/t2AjaEBAMG">pic.twitter.com/t2AjaEBAMG</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1848828653020582065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The only teams with a 100% record after four games are Valencia and Bourg, both in Group B

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Dreamland Gran Canaria v ratiopharm Ulm (2024-10-22T19:00:00.000Z)

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Trefl Sopot v Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (2024-10-22T17:45:00.000Z)

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7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2024-10-22T16:00:00.000Z)

Everybody wants to be unique in their own way. Zavier Simpson is no exception, and he has managed to stand out from the crowd for several reasons. One of them is due to his trademark move, which he started by accident but became a usual routine in finding his route to the basket.

'Captain Hook' Zavier Simpson embraces the Cluj challenge

Everybody wants to be unique in their own way. [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/) is no exception, and he has managed to stand out from the crowd for several reasons. One of them is due to his trademark move, which he started by accident but became a usual routine in finding his route to the basket.

The hook shot was first turned into a trend by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar back in the ‘70s. Before him, other dominant paint inhabitants such as Wilt Chamberlin and George Mikan used to surprise opponents with their high-shooting arc towards the rim. Moving forward, Bob Lanier, Vlade Divac, and Yao Ming continued the tradition. You must have noticed something: these are all centers.

For somebody who doesn’t prioritize his game near the basket, especially if undersized, intentionally choosing to go for a hook shot may not be the first of his thoughts. Instead, the 27-year-old overseas rookie coming from Lima – not in Peru, but Ohio – thinks differently.

“It all started back in 2016-17, my first year in college. I was getting my shots blocked a little more often than normal,” Simpson recalls to Eurohoops’ Cesare Milanti. “Once, I made a hook shot by accident on a fast break – it went in. I felt well with it, despite never having worked on it before.”

Read the rest of the article [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1731732/zavier-simpson-ubt-cluj-napoca-bkt-eurocup-2024-2025-interview/).

The guard is enjoying a strong start to life in the EuroCup