Forward DJ Seeley is having a career season in the BKT EuroCup with U-BT Cluj-Napoca, and the last game against 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys was just the last chapter of that story... for now.

Seeley seals instant classic in Cluj

U-BT Cluj-Napoca and 7bet-Lietkabelis delivered an instant classic game in Round 9 of the BKT EuroCup Regular Season. It was a back-and-forth scoring battle in which Cluj forward D.J. Seeley made the difference down the stretch.

[Cluj beat Lietkabelis 120-111 in overtime](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/u-bt-cluj-napoca-7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/U2023/89/). Both teams set new EuroCup club records for most points in the competition. Cluj had never reached 100 points before this game and it went to 120, the seventh-best scoring mark in competition history and the highest in almost six years, since LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne beat Dreamland Gran Canaria 128-129 in triple overtime on December 27, 2017.

Both teams combined for 231 points, tying the fourth-best mark in competition history. The game became the highest scoring one ever with just one overtime: all games tied or ahead of it had two extra times or more.

In the end, it came down to Seeley's inspiration to take the game to overtime and win it.

Seeley finished the game with 25 points but scored 16 of those in the final 2 minutes of regulation and overtime. When he returned to the game, Cluj led 76-65 but Lietkabelis rallied within 89-87 in the next-to-last minute of regulation. Seeley buried a three-pointer but Gediminas Orelik and Gabrielius Maldunas tied the game, 92-92. Seeley hit free throws and struck again from downtown, 97-94. Deividas Sirvydis drew a foul while taking a three-point shot and hit all attempts to send the game to overtime.

U-BT Cluj-Napoca guard D.J. Seeley  led his team to a 120-111 overtime win over 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys with 25 points.

Seeley makes the difference against Lietkabelis

Far from being done, Seeley made sure his team won the game. With the game tied at 104-104, Seeley fed Adam Mokoka for a three-pointer, and went on to drew a foul and calmly make free throws. When Orelik buried his fourth three-pointer, Seeley immediately answered from downtown for a 112-107 Cluj lead with less than 2 minutes remaining. From that moment, the hosts were well on their way to record their seventh victory.

"It was tough. That's a tough team and we knew that they always come back in the fourth quarter," Seeley said after the game. "They always come back, no matter if they are down by 15, we knew we just had to stay with it, and that's what we did. Coming back from last game, we needed a win."

Seeley hit 5 of 6 three-pointers and 8 of 9 free throws on his way to 25 points, a new season-high and close to his best scoring night in the competition: 29 points with Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in a 60-89 road win over Promitheas Patras on December 8, 2021.

This season, Seeley leads Cluj in scoring (16.0 ppg.) and PIR (14.6). Above all, Cluj finishes his first EuroCup campaign with a 5-13 record and out of the playoffs last season. With Seeley leading the team, Cluj is 7-2 and looking ahead to the second part of the regular season.

Seeley sealed an instant classic in Cluj

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2023-11-29T17:00:00.000Z)

Look back at all the action in the Regular Season Round 9 by checking out the best photos of the week!

EuroCup, The Top 10 photos of the week, Round 9

These five players impressed enough to earn their place in the roll call after another intense week BKT EuroCup action.

Round 9 roll call: Stars and role players left their marks

### Niziol set career-highs to lead Slask

Forward [Jakub Niziol](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jakub-niziol/005531/) led Slask Wroclaw to a historic road win at Turk Telekom Ankara on Tuesday in which he set career-highs in scoring and three-pointers made with 25 and 4, respectively. He produced a steady supply of offense all game long, netting 12 first-half points and 13 after the break. A week after he scored 21 in a loss, Niziol upped his game to help Slask win its first EuroCup game in nearly a year and its first road game since December 2007. 

### Ribas rocked in the third quarter

[Pau Ribas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/pau-ribas/jug/) has done a thing or two in the eight seasons and 106 games he has played in the EuroCup. But rarely has he ever had a quarter like the one he put together after halftime on Wednesday for Joventut Badalona against Prometey Slobozhanske. The 36-year-old guard did not miss a shot as he sank 4 three-pointers and 2 free throws, all in the third quarter. He also recorded his only 2 assists of the game in that period. All told, he had a hand in 18 of Joventut's 29 points that quarter as it erased an 8-point halftime deficit to get back in the game. 

BIg third quarter for Pau Ribas

### Conti filled a key role for Trento 

[Luca Conti](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/luca-conti/007828/) chimed in with his best game of the season on Wednesday to help Dolomiti Energia Trento edge Aris Midea Thessaloniki 69-67. The 22-year-old guard played a season-high 19:25 minutes and contributed 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal for a performance index rating of 12. The rebounds and PIR were also season-bests and the steal was his first of the campaign. Conti scored all of his points in the fourth quarter, too, making key contributions to help Trento take a step forward in the playoff race.  

### Cate rolled to career-best 20 points

[Emanuel Cate](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/emanuel-cate/005373/) set a EuroCup career-high in scoring with 20 points to help U-BT Cluj Napoca overcome 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys in overtime on Wednesday. While he certainly had the hot hand, Cate did not allow his success to change his effective mode of play. The big man took all of his shots from the paint, hardly ever more than a meter from the rim. Cate made 9 of 10 two-point shots for the game. He also had a +/- of plus-10, while contributing 4 rebounds and 1 block for a season-best PIR of 21. It was a true special effort for the big man. 

Emanuel Cate scored 20 against Lietkabelis

### Klepeisz ignited Ulm's offense in defeat

ratiopharm Ulm suffered its first home defeat of the season, an 84-89 decision against JL Mincidelice Bourg en Bresse, but not without a fight. Ulm got big contribution [from its young guns](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/eurocup-prodigies-stole-the-spotlight-zaccharie-risacher-pacome-dadiet-juan-nunez/), but also one seasoned veteran, [Thomas Klepeisz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/thomas-klepeisz/010582/). The 32-year-old guard scored a game-high 20 points, netting a career-best tying 5 triples on 7 attempts. With Ulm down 23 points at halftime, Klepeisz scored 14 points after the break and was a big reason Ulm got back in the game, although the hosts ultimately came up short in their comeback attempt. Klepeisz also had 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 rebounds for a PIR of 26.

A career-best performance in yet another winning effort has seen Conor Morgan of the London Lions earn Round 9 MVP honors in the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Regular Season. His personal-best PIR of 36 was the highest among all EuroCup players this week.

BKT EuroCup Round 9 MVP: Conor Morgan, London Lions

[Conor Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/conor-morgan/009680/) led London to [a convincing 87-101 win over Wolves Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/wolves-vilnius-london-lions/U2023/84/) with 36 PIR, which shattered his previous-best mark. In 67 previous EuroCup games, Morgan had never reached a PIR higher than 21. Against the Wolves, he had 22 points on 2-of-2 two-pointers, 5-of-8 three-pointers and 3-of-3 free throws, as well as 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 7 fouls drawn. He is the third-ever London player to earn MVP of the Round honors after [Ovie Soko](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/round-2-tri-mvps-ovie-soko-joe-young-jcovan-brown/) and [Matt Morgan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/eurocup-basketball-round-2-mvp-matthew-morgan-london-lions/). 

Conor Morgan | Round 9 MVP | 2023-24 BKT EuroCup

[Deividas Sirvydis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/deividas-sirvydis/007029/) of 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys amassed a PIR of 34 in [his team's 120-111 overtime loss against U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/u-bt-cluj-napoca-7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/U2023/89/). Sirvydis had 29 points on 5-of-8 two-pointers, 3-of-4 three-pointers and 10-of-10 free throws. He added 4 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and 6 fouls drawn. [Ronnie Harrell](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/harrell-ronnie/012716/) of Aris Egalis Thessaloniki and [Marco Spissu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marco-spissu/004381/) of Umana Reyer Venice each had a PIR of 32 in Round 9. Spissu led Reyer to [a 94-77 home victory over Veolia Towers Hamburg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/umana-reyer-venice-veolia-towers-hamburg/U2023/85/) with 22 points, 2 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals and 3 fouls drawn. Harrell had 24 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 5 fouls drawn in [a 69-67 losing effort against Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/dolomiti-energia-trento-aris-midea-thessaloniki/U2023/87/). [J'Covan Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/j-covan-brown/011991/) of Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, with a PIR of 28, completes the top individual performances in Round 9. He had 19 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists and 8 fouls drawn as [Hapoel downed Besiktas Emlajket Istanbul, 81-75](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv-besiktas-emlakjet-istanbul/U2023/82/).

Round 9 MVP: Conor Morgan, London Lions

Wolves Vilnius v London Lions (2023-11-28T17:00:00.000Z)

Here are the leaders in the main statistical categories for Round 9 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Regular Season. 

Round 9, individual highs: Deividas Sirvydis, Lietkabelis, 29 points

[Points](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score)

Deividas Sirvydis of Lietkabelis led all scorers in Round 9 with a career-high 29 points. Rasheed Sulaimon of Wolves, who is currently injured, leads the standings at 20.2 points per game. 

[Rebounds](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=totalRebounds)

Trevion Williams of ratiopharm Ulm led all rebounders by pulling down 14 boards in this round. He also leads the competition at 11.3 boards per night.

[Assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=assistances)

Three players had 9 assists this week: Marco Spissu of Reyer, Kristupas Zemaitis of Wolves and Derek Needham of Besiktas. Klemen Prepelic of Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana ranks first in assists at 8.7 per contest.

[Steals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=steals)

L.J. Figueroa of Ulm and Karel Guzman of U-BT Cluj-Napoca each collected 5 steals in Round 9. Isiaha Mike of Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse ranks first overall at 2.3 steals per night. 

[Blocks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=blocksFavour)

Josh Sharma of the London Lions and Dusan Miletic of Slask Wroclaw had 4 blocks apiece in this round. Miletic is also ahead of everyone else at 2.3 blocks per game.

[Double-doubles](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/stats/expanded/?size=1000&viewType=miscellaneous&seasonCode=U2023&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=doubleDoubles)

Five players posted a double-double in Round 9: Maksim Salash of Bourg (19 points, 10 rebounds), Turk Telekom Ankara duo Steven Enoch (13 points, 11 rebounds) and Markis McDuffie (18 points, 10 rebounds), Ondrej Balvin of Prometey Slobozhanske (12 points, 12 rebounds), and Trevion Williams (17 points, 14 rebounds).

Turk Telekom Ankara v Slask Wroclaw (2023-11-28T17:00:00.000Z)

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2023-11-29T20:00:00.000Z)

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2023-11-29T19:00:00.000Z)

ratiopharm Ulm v Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (2023-11-29T18:30:00.000Z)

Umana Reyer Venice v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2023-11-28T19:00:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Paris Basketball (2023-11-29T17:30:00.000Z)

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (2023-11-29T18:00:00.000Z)

Joventut Badalona v Prometey Slobozhanske (2023-11-29T19:30:00.000Z)

Zaccharie Risacher, Pacome Dadiet and Juan Nunez, three of the most promising players in Europe, all impressed during ratiopharm Ulm and JL Bourg's EuroCup clash in Round 9 of the 2023-24 season.

EuroCup prodigies Risacher, Dadiet and Nunez stole the spotlight

An exciting [BKT EuroCup clash between ratiopharm Ulm and Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/jl-bourg-holds-on-to-beat-ratiopharm-ulm-84-89-on-the-road/) took place at ratiopharm arena on Wednesday night. In particular, it was an occasion for three future stars to make an impact: Ulm duo [Pacome Dadiet](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/pacome-dadiet/011457/) and [Juan Nunez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/juan-nunez/010106/) and Bourg’s [Zaccharie Risacher](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/zaccharie-risacher/010718/).

Despite Bourg taking a 33-53 lead into the second half, Ulm fought back and took the game right down to the wire, with the guests eventually coming out on top, 84-89.  

### NBA teams sent scouts to Ulm vs. Bourg

Before the game, Ulm’s managing director Thomas Stoll confirmed on social media that two thirds of the NBA’s 30 teams sent representatives to attend the game. Why? Well, that’s obvious. They wanted to get a glimpse of Dadiet, Nunez and Risacher, three of the most promising players in European basketball.

<center>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Das dürfte heute neuer Rekord in Deutschland werden. Etwa 2/3 aller NBA Teams haben heute Vertreter zum Eurocup Spiel ratiopharm ulm gegen Bourg geschickt. Juan, Pacome und Noa gegen Zaccharie Risacher. Risacher wird bei ESPN auf Rang 3 des nächsten Drafts gesehen. <a href="https://t.co/RlRuQnYdYH">pic.twitter.com/RlRuQnYdYH</a></p>&mdash; Thomas Stoll (@ts06122016) <a href="https://twitter.com/ts06122016/status/1729809490659234262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

They are unlikely to have come away disappointed, either, as all three ended up delivering mature displays on the floor for their respective teams.

### Risacher shined for Bourg… again

Risacher was one of Bourg’s outstanding players on the night, ending the game with 17 points. The 18-year-old forward went 4-for-5 (80.0%) from beyond the arc, including a late dagger with 01:06 remaining to make it 79-85 for the guests.

Standing 2.06 meters tall, Risacher has made 18 of 29 triples this season. His 62.1% success rater from downtown is the best mark in the EuroCup for players who have featured in six games or more so far. Despite his young age, Risacher is the top scorer for 7-2 Bourg, with an average of 13.4 points this term.

Having recorded double figures in scoring in seven of his team’s nine games, Risacher has proven that he has what it takes to become a difference-maker in the future.

Zaccharie Risacher had 17 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists as Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse beat ratiopharm Ulm 84-89 in Round 9 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Regular Season.

Zaccharie Risacher's highlights vs. Ulm

### Dadiet, Nunez showed what they can do

Ulm, meanwhile, may have lost Wednesday’s game, but its third loss of the season comes with a few positives. The hosts showed character and even made it a one-possession game late in the final quarter thanks to extraordinary outings by Dadiet and Nunez, who stepped up in the second half.

Notably, the 18-year-old Dadiet scored 9 of his 14 points in the last quarter to inspire Ulm’s heroic comeback attempt. He provided his team with a much-needed energy boost and made a couple of baskets, including a ferocious dunk in transition, before drilling a triple to make it 67-73 with 6:30 remaining.

Heading into crunch time, that’s when Nunez took charge. The 19-year-old guard stole the ball with 02:54 to go (74-79), although Thomas Klepeisz didn’t manage to hit the resulting three-pointer. After Risacher nailed the aforementioned dagger (79-85), Nunez didn’t give up and responded with a three-point play on the other end.

Juan Nunez (11 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, 2 steals) and Pacome Dadiet (14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal) impressed for ratiopharm Ulm in the team's 84-89 defeat against Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse in Round 9 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Regular Season.

Juan Nunez, Pacome Dadiet highlights vs. Bourg

The Spaniard, who ranks fourth overall with 2.1 steals per game, registered his second steal a few seconds later, but Karim Jallow didn’t manage to keep hold of the ball on the break. With just 13 seconds remaining and Bourg leading 84-87, Nunez stepped up to take a triple that could have sent the game to overtime.

However, Nunez missed his effort from downtown, leaving him on 11 points for the night, as Bourg escaped with its first-ever victory against Ulm after four straight losses.

The French side did grab a well-earned victory, but the spotlight on Wednesday night was stolen by three players who could mark an era in European basketball: Risacher, Dadiet and Nunez.

Zaccharie Risacher in action for Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse in the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Regular Season.

Nunez, Dadiet and Risacher made sure to put their fingerprints on the game.

EuroCup prodigies stole the spotlight during Ulm vs. Bourg

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge offers weekly prizes to the top team manager, so get in the game and go for the gold!

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Round 9 winner

Congratulations to Panos Katsimpras, the Round 9 winner in [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://eurocupfantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home)! Istvan's team posted a score of 231.6.

The team featured the following lineup: team captain Marco Spissu of Umana Reyer Venice, D.J. Seeley of U-BT Cluj-Napoca, Conor Morgan of the London Lions, his teammate Donte Grantham, and Ondrej Balvin of Prometey Slobozhanske as starters; Gabrielius Maldunas of 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys as sixth man; Kristupas Zemaitis of Wolves Vilnius; Vassilis Toliopoulos of Aris Egalia Thessaloniki, his teammate Silvio de Sousa and Yigit Arslan of Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul as bench players; and Jaka Lakovic of Dreamland Gran Canaria as head coach.

His prize for finishing first in Round 9 is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2023-24 season!

The overall leader after nine rounds is Uros Kostic, whose GargamelFalkao team is ahead of everyone with 1,603.25 fantasy points.

Trades are now open for Round 10. Remember, three trades are allowed before each round until the end of the regular season, and you can also trade your head coach.

Make new teams now or improve your existing ones and try to become EuroCup Fantasy Challenge's next winner!

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica tallied 44 points in the tight first half against Dreamland Gran Canaria but then the reigning BKT EuroCup champion turned up its vaunted defense and rolled to a comfortable win. 

Gran Canaria's defense shut down Buducnost in second half 

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica tallied 44 points in the tight first half against Dreamland Gran Canaria but then the reigning BKT EuroCup champion turned up its vaunted defense and rolled to a comfortable win.

Gran Canaria ended up allowing just 26 points in the final 20 minutes in a 97-70 victory over the Montenegro side to remain perfect in the competition at 9-0.

“Our defensive work in the second half was the key,” said Gran Canaria head coach Jaka Lakovic. “When you defend like this you gain confidence on offense. We started scoring and in the end, I think we deserved to win over a team that has a big quality and we will for sure see them in the EuroCup Playoffs.”

Gran Canaria, which has now won 28 of 31 EuroCup games since the start of last season, played its usual strong offense. The 97 points were the team’s second most this season - behind the 111 against ratiopharm Ulm in Round 2 - and the second straight week the team eclipsed the 90-point mark.

Game News

Lakovic’s team dished out 28 assists - 5.7 more than its average coming into the game; and was right on target with its EuroCup-best two-point shooting percentage, making 61.3% of those opportunities. And the team was much better than its 36.8% from long range as it made 44.1% on three-pointers against Buducnost.

The defense was much tighter in the second half. Gran Canaria entered the game allowing a second-fewest 73.8 points per game and a EuroCup-low PIR of 72.6. The Spanish side gave up 70 points to Buducnost, which also had a PIR of 62.

The guests also committed 17 turnovers - dead on with the second-most forced turnovers of 17.1 by the Gran Canaria defense, which was also holding opponents to just 33.0% on three-pointers and kept the Buducnost shooters bottled up to the effect of 21.7%.

Lakovic is satisfied with his team’s performance at the halfway mark of the regular season.

“Now the first round is done and we have to work more to be good in the second round as well,” he said.

Game Videos

The reigning champs allowed only 26 points in the final 20 minutes to secure the victory. 

Joventut Badalona arrived to its Round 9 game against Prometey Slobozhanske on a dangerous three-game losing streak. In a battle between two of last season's semifinalists, Joventut edged Prometey 79-76 by relying on its homegrown players. 

Homegrown talents rescued Joventut

Joventut Badalona came into its Round 9 game against Prometey Slobozhanske on a dangerous three-game losing streak. It turned things around to edged Prometey 79-76 by relying on its homegrown players.

Prometey led all the way in the first half and held a 35-46 margin early in the third quarter before a 15-0 run allowed Joventut to take the lead, 50-46. Pau Ribas, who first joined Joventut at age 4, was the catalyst of Joventut's comeback, burying three consecutive three-pointers and finding Michael Ruzic for a fastbreak layup. From that moment onwards, it was a very different game.

Once again, young talents stepped up for Coach Carles Duran's team. Ruzic finished the game with 9 points, 4 rebounds and a PIR of 11. Center Ruben Prey ended up playing 15 minutes and posting 7 points and 6 rebounds for a PIR of 13.

Both of them did well at the end of the game, leading Joventut's defense and hitting critical shots. Ruzic buried the go-ahead free throws, 77-76, with 1:21 left, and Prey sealed Joventut's win with a fastbreak slam with just 3 seconds remaining.

Ruben Prey and Michael Ruzic combined for a PIR of 24 in Joventut Badalona's 79-76 home win over Prometey Slobozhanske,

Prey, Ruzic keep pacing Joventut

Ribas scored all of his 14 points in the third quarter, in which Joventut outscored Prometey 29-20.

"I am happy because our young guys stepped up, especially inside players, that is more difficult, physically, for them," Ribas said after the game. "They changed the rhythm of the game, they changed our defense and we could come back in the third quarter and win this game."

Asked about his third-quarter heroics, Ribas joked a bit. "I am a veteran, not young anymore! But my job is to try to help the team win. I could do it tonight, and I am happy."

"With Ruben \[Prey\] and Michael \[Ruzic\], the team played very, very well. Not only on offense: they tried to play very good defense," Coach Duran said after the game. "It is very difficult to guard Balvin but them, being 17 and 18 years old, played an amazing game."

Joventut reached the regular season's halfway mark with a 4-5 record and plays six of its remaining nine games on the road. Young players and well-rounded veterans who bleed green and white should have plenty of opportunities as they try to to lead Joventut back to the playoffs.

Pau Ribas and youngsters Michael Ruzic and Ruben Prey came up big for Joventut.
