The race for the playoffs in the BKT EuroCup will feature several clashes between direct rivals in Round 13, which started last week with Ulm overcoming Besiktas. Here’s your guide to all this week’s action.

At a glance: Closer to the finish line! 

The race for the playoffs in the BKT EuroCup will feature several clashes between direct rivals in Round 13, which started last week with Ulm overcoming Besiktas 104-97. Here’s your guide to all this week’s action.

### Thursday, January 2

**Trefl Sopot vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (18:00 CET)**

Winless Trefl (0-12) will continue its quest for a victory with a visit from Buducnost (5-7), which is currently placed one win short of the all-important top six. Buducnost’s main offensive strength is an excellent three-point shooting game, making 38.2% of long-range strikes (third best in the competition). One of the keys to that success is [Fletcher Magee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/fletcher-magee/012630/), who has made 53.6% of his attempts from deep, including 3-of-5 in October’s 92-83 victory over Trefl. The Polish team has the second-worst offense in the EuroCup, averaging just 76.3 points, despite forward [Jaroslaw Zykowski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaroslaw-zyskowski/013295/) showing his shooting power with 25 points in the narrow loss to Joventut just before the break.

**7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys vs. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (18:00 CET)**

Boosted by a stunning overtime win at Valencia before the festive break, Lietkabelis (4-8) will look to build more momentum with a visit from playoff-chasing Cedevita (7-5). The host will look for young guard [Oleksandr Kovliar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/oleksandr-kovliar/013247/) to repeat the performance which saw him net 25 points in the dramatic victory in Spain, while Cedevita will counter him through [DJ Stewart](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dj-stewart/012700/), who had a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds in the loss against Turk Telekom last time out. Cedevita won 76-72 behind 17 points from [Devin Robinson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/devin-robinson/012042/) when the teams met in Round 4, so a road win in Lithuania could put a decisive distance between the teams.

Round 13 Head-to-Head: Maldunas vs. Stipanovic

**Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem vs Aris Midea Thessaloniki (19.00 CET)**

Jerusalem (7-5) will look to end a three-game losing run and at least maintain its share of second place in Group B against an Aris team (3-9) battling to build on a good win over Lietkabelis last time out. 25 points from fit-again guard [Trey Woodbury](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/trey-woodbury/013251/) were vital to that victory, and he will look to punish a Jerusalem defense which has allowed an average of 90.3 points during the three-game losing slide. Jerusalem won 68-78 when the teams met in Greece in Round 4 paced by 18 points from now-injured [Justin Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/justin-smith/013276/), so the host will again rely on league leading scorer [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/) to maintain his average of 22.8 points per game.

**Umana Reyer Venice vs Valencia Basket (20:00 CET)** 

Valencia (11-1) could become the first team to clinch playoff qualification by overcoming Reyer (6-6), which also needs the win to strengthen its top six challenge. After suffering its first loss with an overtime defeat to Lietkabelis in a game rescheduled from Round 6, Valencia will look to recover the kind of dominance that saw it roll to a 105-83 victory over Reyer in October behind 16 points from [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/). But the Italian team is in great form with four wins in the last five, mostly recently winning a thriller at Bourg thanks to [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mfiondu-kabengele/012796/)’s seventh double-double of the season, and the center’s dominance will give Reyer a fighting chance of maintaining its hot streak.

**Dreamland Gran Canaria vs Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (21:00 CET)**

A crucial clash in Group A will see second-placed Gran Canaria (9-3) attempt to take a three-game lead over fourth-placed Hapoel (7-5). The Spanish team needs a 14-point swing to claim the head-to-head advantage after being 79-66 on the road by Hapoel earlier in the season, when the versatile talents of veteran [Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-beverley/001927/) made all the difference with 15 points, 5 assists and 5 steals. Beverley is one of the reasons that Hapoel boasts the third-best offense in the competition (89 points per game), so Gran Canaria will need every inch of its strong defense (73.1 points conceded, second-best in the EuroCup). The rebounding battle between [Mike Tobey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mike-tobey/008966/) (6.1 boards per game) and [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) (5.5 rpg) could be crucial.

Round 13 Head-to-Head: Albicy vs. Ragland

### Friday, January 3

**Turk Telekom Ankara vs Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (17:30 CET)**

The race for the playoffs will be intense as Turk Telekom (7-5) looks to protect its homecourt against direct rival Bourg (6-6) in Friday’s opening tipoff. The teams have been heading in different directions recently, with Turk Telekom winning three in a row while Bourg has lost four of the last five. With head to head advantage very much at stake, Bourg will look to reproduce the strong defense which propelled a 67-63 home victory over the Turkish team in Round 4, and will look for leadership from veteran forward [Maksim Salash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/maksim-salash/004525/) (9.8 points per game). The host has recently rolled behind big man [Yoan Makoundou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yoan-makoundou/011935/) (11.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game), and will give everything for a vital victory this week.

Round 13 Head-to-Head: Alexander vs. Pansa

**U-BT Cluj-Napoca vs Veolia Towers Hamburg (18:00 CET)**

After keeping its faint playoff hopes alive with a surprise win over Jerusalem just before the festive break, Hamburg (3-9) will look to upset another top six aspirant with a trip to Cluj (6-6). The Romanian team is currently locked in a three-way tie for fifth place, and should have plenty of confidence after winning four straight at home – but needs to improve a defense which has allowed triple figures in two of the last three games. [Jaizec Lottie](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaizec-lottie/013309/)’s 18 points were central to Hamburg’s triumph last time out, and the in-form guard faces a good matchup with one of the league’s top performers, [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/), who will be looking to maintain his streak of double-digit scoring in every game so far.

**Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius vs Joventut Badalona (18:00 CET)**

A significant Group A showdown will be staged in the Lithuanian capital, with Wolves (6-6) aiming to establish a three-game margin over Joventut (4-8). The Spanish team has little hope of claiming head-to-head advantage after suffering a 63-86 thrashing when the teams met in October, with [Anthony Cowan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-cowan-jr/012003/) pouring in 26 points for the Wolves. But the Lithuanian team has suffered recently with three losses out of four, while Joventut’s last game saw 20 points from youngster [Yannick Kraag](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yannick-kraag/010161/) seal a vital home win over Trefl. If the veteran leadership of [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/) and [Pau Ribas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/pau-ribas/jug/) can help seal a road win on Friday, the Group A playoff picture would be blown wide open.

**Dolomiti Energia Trento vs Bahcesehir College Istanbul (20:00 CET)**

Group A leader Bahcesehir (10-2) will look to take another step towards the playoffs by overcoming a Trento team (4-8) fighting hard to stay in contention. The host has lost four of its last five games, and needs to find more offensive rhythm after only averaging 15.4 assists so far – second-worst in the competition. Bahcesehir, which is looking to extend a perfect home record, enjoyed a 110-70 rout when the teams met in Round 4, with big man [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/) powering his way to a season-high 24 points, and Trento needs its center [Jordan Bayehe](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jordan-bayehe/006724/) to repeat the same kind of spirit he showed in that contest, also recording a season-high with 13 points.

Round 13 Head-to-Head: Ellis vs. Hazer

An exciting top-two clash highlights the action in Round 12 of the BKT EuroCup. Here’s your overview of this week’s games.

At a glance: A step closer to the finish line

Valencia Basket v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2024-12-18T19:30:00.000Z)

Trefl Sopot v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2025-01-02T17:00:00.000Z)

7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2025-01-02T17:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2025-01-02T18:00:00.000Z)

Umana Reyer Venice v Valencia Basket (2025-01-02T19:00:00.000Z)

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2025-01-02T20:00:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom Ankara v Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (2025-01-03T16:30:00.000Z)

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius v Joventut Badalona (2025-01-03T17:00:00.000Z)

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2025-01-03T17:00:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Bahcesehir College Istanbul (2025-01-03T19:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv will travel to take on Dreamland Gran Canaria this week without the services of Marcus Bingham. The big man has been diagnosed with pericarditis

Hapoel's Marcus Bingham to miss time

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv will travel to take on Dreamland Gran Canaria this week without the services of Marcus Bingham. The big man has been diagnosed with pericarditis, which is the inflammation of the tissue around the heart, often caused by a viral illness. Hapoel's medical staff will reevaluate the player in 10 days.

Bingham joined the club in late November and has averaged 8.7 points on 61.1% two-point shooting, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.7 blocks over 16:15 minutes in three games.  

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">מרקוס בינגהאם סובל מדלקת במעטפת שריר הלב, הנגרמת בדרך כלל כתגובה למחלה ויראלית. בשלב זה הוא מושבת מפעילות. <br>ההערכה נוספת תתבצע בעוד עשרה ימים. <a href="https://t.co/wcFSjcHIXO">pic.twitter.com/wcFSjcHIXO</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1874006059377160313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More news from Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv

The big man is suffering from pericarditis and will be reevaluated in 10 days

Aris Midea Thessaloniki announced on Monday that it has signed small forward L.J. Figueroa for the remainder of the season

Aris signs small forward L.J. Figueroa

Aris Midea Thessaloniki announced on Monday that it has signed small forward [L.J. Figueroa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/lj-figueroa/012603/) for the remainder of the season. Figueroa (1.98 meters, 26 years old) last played for Leyma Coruña for which he averaged 6.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in 11 Spanish League games. He made his EuroCup debut with ratiopharm Ulm last season and was worth 12.3 points and 3.4 rebounds in 19 games in the competition.  

Figueroa played college basketball for St. John’s University in New York and for the University of Oregon before beginning his professional career. He has also played for Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, Santa Cruz Warriors and the South Bay Lakers in the G League and Grises de Humacao in Puerto Rico.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ro" dir="ltr">‼️ O LJ FIGUEROA ΣΤΟΝ ΑΡΗ Midea <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Welcome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Welcome</a> to<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheEmperor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheEmperor</a><br>@l_comeup <br><br>Read more 👉 <a href="https://t.co/LiuTA00d6p">https://t.co/LiuTA00d6p</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARISBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARISBC</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARISFAMILY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARISFAMILY</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARISBCTRANSFERS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARISBCTRANSFERS</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARISBC2425?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARISBC2425</a> <a href="https://t.co/FngkMfiWCM">pic.twitter.com/FngkMfiWCM</a></p>&mdash; ARIS B.C. (@ARISBCgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/ARISBCgr/status/1873779782032515586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More Aris news

The Dominican Republic national team player helped Ulm reach the EuroCup Eighthfinals last season

Bahcesehir College Istanbul announced on Monday that it has signed veteran shooting guard Furkan Korkmaz for the remained of the season. 

Bahcesehir brings Furkan Korkmaz home to Istanbul 

Group A leader Bahcesehir College Istanbul announced on Monday that it has signed veteran shooting guard [Furkan Korkmaz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/furkan-korkmaz/005763/) for the remained of the season. Korkmaz (2.02 meters, 27 years old) joined AS Monaco over the summer after seven seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, but he played sparingly with the Roca Team. Korkmaz appeared in only three Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games during which he averaged 4.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12 minutes.

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">🚨 𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐦𝐚𝐳, 𝐁𝐚𝐡𝐜̧𝐞𝐬̧𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐫 𝐊𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐣𝐢&#39;𝐧𝐝𝐞!<br><br>🤝 Son olarak EuroLeague ekiplerinden Monaco forması giyen, 2017-2024 yılları arasında Philadelphia 76ers formasıyla NBA’de gururla izlediğimiz Milli oyuncumuz Furkan Korkmaz ile 2024-2025 sezonu sonuna… <a href="https://t.co/PX4gtZgisc">pic.twitter.com/PX4gtZgisc</a></p>&mdash; Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@BKBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol/status/1873759654016127473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A product of the Anadolu Efes Istanbul youth system and native of Istanbul, Korkmaz played three seasons in the EuroLeague for the club. He appeared in 40 EuroLeague games between 2014 and 2016. Korkmaz won the Turkish Cup twice with Efes. He also spent time on loan at fellow Turkish clubs Pertevniyal and Banvit Bandirma early in his career. Korkmaz will make his EuroCup debut with Bahcesehir.

During the NBA part of his career, Korkmaz appeared in a total of 328 NBA games plus 33 playoff games. His best season was 2019-20, when he averaged 9.8 points on 40.2% three-point shooting and 2.3 rebounds per game. Last season Korkmaz was traded to the Indiana Pacers, but never suited up for that team.

More Bahcesehir news

The shooting guard will see his first EuroCup action with Bahcesehir 

Trefl Sopot announced on Monday that it has signed veteran forward Darious Moten for the remainder of the season

Trefl Sopot reunites with Darious Moten 

Trefl Sopot announced on Monday that it has signed veteran forward Darious Moten for the remainder of the season. The move came several hours after it parted ways with Andy Van Vliet. Moten Moten (2.02 meters, 32 years old) returns to the club he first joined in March 2020 and left in the summer of 2023. He most recently played for Reales De La Vega in the Dominican Republic.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pl" dir="ltr">Darious Moten wraca do Trefla Sopot! Amerykański skrzydłowy, który w żółto-czarnych barwach rozegrał już 79 meczów, podpisał umowę do końca sezonu 2024/2025 ✍ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/plkpl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#plkpl</a> <br><br>🗨 &quot;Po rozmowach ze sztabem szkoleniowym doszliśmy do wniosku, że jedną ze zmian, które musimy przeprowadzić,… <a href="https://t.co/Keem7oX2EV">pic.twitter.com/Keem7oX2EV</a></p>&mdash; MISTRZ POLSKI 2024 🏆 (@treflsopot) <a href="https://twitter.com/treflsopot/status/1873742209582813669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Moten has also played for the Svendborg Rabbits in Denmark, Espoo United and Ura Basket in Finland, Eisbaren Bremerhaven in Germany, Olomoucko in Czechia and Union Neuchatel Basket in Switzerland. He could be in uniform as soon as this week when Trefl takes on Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in Round 13 on Thursday.

"After talking with the coaching staff, we came to the conclusion that one of the changes we need to make is to sign a defensive player for the 3-4 position," club president Marek Wierzbicki said in a statement released by the club. "We considered various options. During the talks, Zan Tabak stated that he could use someone like Darious. He has good memories of working with him; he is a basketball player who knows his requirements, wants to work and, above all, looks after the good of the team. We contacted Darious and quickly reached an agreement. As I mentioned at the beginning, this is not the end of the changes at Trefl Sopot."

The forward previously spent three and a half seasons with Trefl

Guarding possessions used by opposing ball handlers and screeners effectively is a game-changing ability in the BKT EuroCup of Euroleague Basketball

Stats review: Who has the best pick-and-roll defense?

Round 12 of the BKT EuroCup featured a key matchup in Group A as Bahcesehir College Istanbul scored an 8-point victory at home to move one game clear of second-place Dreamland Gran Canaria.  In a low-scoring affair, defense was the difference for the hosts.

Bahcesehir held Gran Canaria to just 15 points over 28 possessions created out of pick-and-rolls - one of the better single-game efforts in recent years in terms of efficiency. Allowing only 2 points to their pick-and-roll ball handlers - well below their 10.1 per game season average - they made things a struggle for the visitors in a game with obvious seeding implications.                 

They flipped the script on Gran Canaria who - even after conceding 41 points over 43 possessions in pick-and-rolls to Bahcesehir - remains far and away the best ball screen defense in the EuroCup on the year overall. Guarding possessions used by opposing ball handlers and screeners more effectively than anyone else by a comfortable margin, Gran Canaria has jammed up some of the better offenses in Group A. That held up against Bahcesehir who may not have gotten much scoring from their ball handlers or screeners, but found their shooters consistently out of two-man actions to the tune of 22 points over 21 spot-up possessions. 

The table above lists the top pick-and-roll defenses in the EuroCup so far in terms of points per possession allowed.  The main differentiator keeping Gran Canaria in a tier by itself to this point has been the way it has protected the paint without giving much back on the perimeter.  Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem and Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv have fallen in between Gran Canaria and the pack in terms of how well they contest shots inside the arc, but they have better-defined strengths and weaknesses with Jerusalem fairing better guarding screeners and Hapoel doing a relatively better job not just defending the ball, but forcing ball handlers to beat them.

The strategy that goes into how teams defend ball screens at this level is significant and there can be as much value in dictating the action as defending it some nights.  Aris Midea Thessaloniki embodies that with the pressure it brings to the ball and clogging up the passing lanes as it forces turnovers on around 20% of the pick-and-rolls they face, which is the top mark in the EuroCup. While Aris pays a price at times when passes get through, it forces enough mistakes to make up for it more often than not.

With the average possession created out of a pick-and-roll being converted for 0.96 points per possession this season due to Gran Canaria’s outlier performance, only six teams have been able to stay ahead of the curve, including the top two teams in both groups. With teams employing different strategies to stop pick-and-rolls against not just different teams, but individual players, that glances over a great deal of nuance, but with most teams creating over 40% of their total possessions out of those actions, the results certainly paint a picture.

Guarding possessions used by opposing ball handlers and screeners effectively is a game-changing ability

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul upgraded its frontcourt with the addition of Uros Plavsic. The center arrives on loan from Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade for the remainder of the season

Besiktas loans Uros Plavsic from Crvena Zvezda

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul has upgraded its frontcourt with the addition of [Uros Plavsic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/uros-plavsic/006240/). The center arrives on loan from Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade for the remainder of the season. Plavsic (2.17 meters, 26 years old) joined Zvezda over the summer on a three-year deal and averaged 5.2 points and 2.7 rebounds over 11:25 minutes in 10 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Uros Plavsic Beşiktaş Fibabanka’da<br><br>Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi ve BKT EuroCup’ta yoluna devam eden Beşiktaş Fibabanka Takımımız, Sırbistan Milli Takımı’nda forma giyen 2.16 boyundaki pivot Uros Plavsic’i kiralık olarak kadrosuna kattı.<br><br>Beşiktaş Fibabanka Takımımız, son… <a href="https://t.co/IXnQbaTzmE">pic.twitter.com/IXnQbaTzmE</a></p>&mdash; Beşiktaş Fibabanka (@BJK_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol/status/1872658759966773581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Plavsic grew up with Mega and was moved to the club's first team in the 2015-16 campaign, before getting his feet wet in professional basketball as a teenager the following season with Smederevo in the Serbian League. He then spent four seasons playing college basketball at the University of Tennessee. Plavsic returned to Europe last season and averaged 15.4 points on 68.5% two-point shooting and 7.7 rebounds for Mega, which he helped reach the ABA League semifinals. He will now make his EuroCup debut with Besiktas.

More Besiktas news

The center appeared in 10 EuroLeague games this season

ratiopharm Ulm laid down a marker against Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul in rolling to a 17-point home victory after losing their Round 4 matchup in Turkiye back in October by 33 points. Albeit in a game that Ulm had an entirely different mind frame.

Ulm keeps rolling, showed its real self against Besiktas 

[ratiopharm Ulm](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/ratiopharm-ulm/ulm/) laid down a marker against [Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/bes/) in rolling to a 17-point home victory after losing their Round 4 matchup in Turkiye back in October by 33 points. Albeit in a game that Ulm had an entirely different mind frame.

On Thursday night, Ulm extended its winning streak to five games by [beating Besiktas 104-87](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/ulm-overpowers-besiktas-104-87/) in a critical game in the fight for a top-two spot in Group A. Ulm continued to shine with its high-octane offense, having scored at least 100 point for the third straight game and improved to a 9-4 record.

“It’s nice to go out of 2024 with a victory. Also the fact that we lost really badly in Istanbul against what I think is a very good basketball team. I think we played really well today. Maybe one of our best performances,” said Ulm head coach [Ty Harrelson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/ratiopharm-ulm/ulm/harrelson-ty/?season=U2024), whose team dished out 28 assists and shot 54.5% on three-pointers.

Ulm dropped the Round 4 game in Istanbul 107-74 for its first EuroCup loss of the season. But that was the third game of a six-game road trip for Ulm which the team travel 25,000 kilometers over a 15-day period.

The EuroCup game at Besiktas came on the Monday following Ulm’s heart-breaking buzzer-beater 103-100 loss in the German Cup to Bamberg on Saturday, October 12. The first Besiktas game was also two days before the young Ulm team would play in a high-profile exhibition game against the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers in the United States. So, it wouldn’t be a shock if some of those Ulm players were already thinking about the honor of playing on an NBA court.

Ulm’s first road game in that stretch was at Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius in Round 3 and the remaining road contests came against Oldenburg in the German League and at Dreamland Gran Canaria in Round 5, when Ulm gave up a EuroCup-record 125 points. 

Coming back to its home game on Boxing Day, Ulm also had what could be considered a road game as the Besiktas fans were louder than the home supporters for large parts of the contest.

“This atmosphere was amazing. The Besiktas fans put on a great show, but also our fans were ready to come and celebrate basketball today,” said Ulm guard [Thomas Klepeisz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/thomas-klepeisz/010582/), who scored a season-high 15 points. “I fed off that energy and it was a lot of fun to play basketball today.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Capitano showing them how it&#39;s done 😤<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/uuulmer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#uuulmer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/weareone?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#weareone</a> | 📷 Harry Langer <a href="https://t.co/m9v1y0LBge">pic.twitter.com/m9v1y0LBge</a></p>&mdash; ratiopharm ulm (@ratiopharmulm) <a href="https://twitter.com/ratiopharmulm/status/1872386909252555084?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Besiktas head coach [Dusan Alimpijevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/bes/alimpijevic-dusan/?season=U2024) tried to warn his players against thinking about the home win back in October.

"I told them forget about this first game and this 33-point win. I told them this is a completely different team. This is a completely different approach. And we didn’t exist today,” Alimpijevic said.

Ulm now holds a two-game lead over Besiktas – 9-4 to 7-6 – in the group, but Harrelson admitted he and the team was thinking about the tiebreaker. 

“I was telling the guys, we want to get the head-to-head. (Laughs). At some point they made a little run and it became apparent that would be really difficult to do without forcing stuff,” Harrelson said. “For most of the game we were very efficient with our offense. A couple of turnovers late led to some fast breaks so we couldn’t push it out to that type of score. Of course, that is what we would have liked to do but it just didn’t happen.”

The victory also meant a lot because Ulm had lost its last two games in the German League.

“It was an important game for our team today before a little bit of a break and New Year’s. I am just really proud of the group. 28 assists was the key. When we move the basketball, we are dangerous.”

Ulm certainly showed that in its final game of 2024 as the team looks ahead to 2025 with hopes of even further development.

Game News

Ty Harrelson’s men showed just how much they have changed since losing to Istanbul team by 33 points 

ratiopharm Ulm v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2024-12-26T18:00:00.000Z)

ratiopharm Ulm roared for a 104-87 home victory over Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul to extend its winning streak to five games in a crucial Group A matchup. 

Ulm overpowers Besiktas 104-87

ratiopharm Ulm roared for a 104-87 home victory over Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul to extend its winning streak to five games in a crucial Group A matchup. Ulm lost a 13-point first-half lead but never allowed Besiktas to get back ahead and cruised to a 9-4 record, including a 5-1 mark at home. Ulm had six players score in double figures in reaching the 100-point mark for the third straight game.

Marcio Santos and Justinian Jessup both scored 16 points while Thomas Klepeisz had the game of his season with 15 points - two more than his combined total thus far, and Ben Saraf added 10 points and 6 assists. Besiktas dropped to 7-6 with a second straight loss after a three-game winning streak. Kelan Martin was the top scorer for the visitors with 17 points and Dustin Sleva and Jonah Mathews both had 13 points. 

Game Videos

After Derek Needham opened the proceedings with a three-pointer for Besiktas, there were three lead changes and Ulm used 2 triples to go up 12-7. A second long ball from Jessup gave Ulm its first double-figure advantage at 19-9. Santos took over with 9 straight points for Ulm in building a 27-14 cushion. Besiktas pulled within 9 points but trailed 34-23 after 10 minutes.

After giving up 34 points in the opening frame, Besiktas held the hosts to just a put-back basket in the first 3 minutes of the second quarter and Martin scored 6 points in a 2-10 run to get the deficit down to 36-33. Besiktas erased the 13-point gap on a Mathews layup to knot it up 38-38. Jessup answered with a three-pointer and Saraf sparked the offense with three scores as Ulm led 50-42 and went into the break ahead 52-44.

Noa Essengue threw down a dunk and Klepeisz drained a triple as Besiktas head coach Dusan Alimpijevic called a timeout just 51 seconds into the second half. Isaiah Roby followed with 5 points for Ulm, which pushed the advantage to 64-47. Klepeisz drained his third triple and Ulm increased the margin to 20 points - 72-52. Besiktas was not ready to hand over the game and trimmed it to 74-60. The home side led 81-64 after 30 minutes.

Ulm got two transition baskets in the first 2 minutes of the fourth quarter for an 85-66 lead and Alimpijevic called another timeout. Ulm kept up the pace and Nelson Weidemann hit 2 three-pointers for a 95-70 lead with 5 minutes to play. The only question was if Ulm could actually catch the 33-point deficit from the road game in Istanbul. But that was the closest the German side could make it.

Ulm captures big win in fight for top spots in Group A