Hapoel Tel Aviv BC leads all teams as the most dangerous offensive team in the BKT EuroCup following the mid-season addition of Yam Madar

Stats review: Yam Madar has taken Hapoel's offensive efficiency to the next level

With only two rounds remaining in the BKT EuroCup Regular Season, the pressure is mounting as only four teams have secured their bid for the postseason. While the top seeds in both groups are decided, there is not a lot of certainty beyond that point — especially in Group B where the second postseason bye and every seed still remain up for grabs.

In Round 16, [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/roster/hta/?season=2024-25) secured what could be [a pivotal win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-knocks-off-bahcesehir-84-77/) in Group A when it defeated first-place [Bahcesehir College Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/bahcesehir-college-istanbul/roster/bah/?season=2024-25) to move into a tie for second place, where it holds a tiebreaker over [Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dreamland-gran-canaria/roster/can/?season=2024-25).  After starting the year 4-3, the club has put itself in poll position for an automatic berth in the quarterfinals.

Hapoel’s turnaround can be traced to its rise as one of the EuroCup’s most efficient offensive teams.  As the table above suggests, it joins this season’s group leaders a tier above the rest of the field on that end of the floor. While it has a legitimate chance to finish the regular season atop this list, the 1.11 points per possession Hapoel has scored over its last nine games leads all teams as it has been the most dangerous offensive team in the EuroCup following the mid-season addition of [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/yam-madar/011052/).

That efficiency was the difference in the win over Bahcesehir as it shot 56.8% inside the arc and 47.4% from deep to overcome a deficit in the possession battle. With the team's ball handlers scoring more than 10 points per 100 possessions more than the next most effective team in pick-and-rolls, Hapoel's guards have helped their season take a sharp turn that will be fascinating to follow in the coming weeks.

Yam Madar highlights, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, Rounds 10-16, 2024-25 EuroCup

Yam Madar is making things happen for Hapoel

Despite Hapoel’s recent run, there has been no denying [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/roster/pam/?season=2024-25)’s complete dominance on the offensive end for long stretches this season.  Exceeding 100 points in 10 games so far, it has the most impressive combination of pace and efficiency of any team this decade. Attempting 84 more three-pointers than any other team while leading the EuroCup in three-point accuracy, Valencia remains an incredibly daunting matchup despite a pair of losses following an 11-0 start.

Bahcesehir has been nearly as efficient while taking the opposite approach. Playing at the EuroCup’s slowest pace, the Turkish club has seldom looked to operate quickly outside of obvious fastbreak situations.  Generating over half of its possessions in the half court out of pick-and-rolls while leading all teams in pick-and-roll efficiency, Bahcesehir has played to its strengths steadily all year.

[U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/roster/clu/?season=2024-25) and [Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/roster/bud/?season=2024-25), like Hapoel, have both turned their seasons around after lackluster starts, but both teams find themselves in precarious spots heading into the regular season’s final games. Currently holding the last playoff seed in Group A, Buducnost has been one of the tougher teams to guard thanks to its ability to beat defenses in the midrange.  The matchup with [Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/wolves-vilnius/roster/wol/?season=2024-25) in Round 18 could be a win-or-go-home situation depending on how things shake out this week.

Cluj is one of five teams with a 9-7 record in Group B.  It does not lean heavily on one-on-one play, but its efficiency when attacking matchups has been a factor in its success on the offensive end. As the only one of the five teams fighting for four postseason spots who will not face one of the other four in the final two weeks, it will be interesting to see how the Romanian champion positions itself down the stretch.

Since the mid-season arrival of Madar, Hapoel has been the most dangerous offensive team in the EuroCup

Dreamland Gran Canaria announced on Sunday that it has acquired playmaker Ziga Samar from ALBA Berlin for the remainder of the season

Gran Canaria loans Ziga Samar from ALBA Berlin

Dreamland Gran Canaria announced on Sunday that it has acquired playmaker [Ziga Samar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ziga-samar/profile/007550/) for the remainder of the season. Samar (1.97 meters, 24 years old) arrives on loan from ALBA Berlin for which he averaged 4.1 points and 2.9 assists over 14 appearances in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this season. He is 10th in the EuroLeague this season in per-minute assists with a prorated average of 8.4 over 40 minutes. Gran Canaria made the move following the news that [Carlos Alocen](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gran-canaria-alocen-out-for-the-season/) was lost for the season with a torn ACL.

Samar returns to Spain, where he has spent most of his professional career. The tall point guard began his career with the Olimpija Ljubljana youth system in his native Slovenia and was just 16 years when he signed with Real Madrid. Samar also played professionally for Baloncesto Zambrano and Fuenlabrada, He joined ALBA in 2022 on a long-term deal and was loaned to Veolia Towers Hamburg in that first season, during which he also played in the EuroCup. Samar is also a member of the Slovenian national team.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🖊 Žiga Samar refuerza al Dreamland Gran Canaria hasta final de temporada.<br><br>▪ El base esloveno, formado en el Real Madrid, llega en calidad de cedido por el Alba Berlín hasta el término del presente curso.<br><br>➡  <a href="https://t.co/K2TKJrCmEA">https://t.co/K2TKJrCmEA</a> <a href="https://t.co/bBsIhYkj3T">pic.twitter.com/bBsIhYkj3T</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1883583491797102968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The playmaker will reinforce the Granca backcourt for the remainder of the season

Every basketball player works on his shot. They spend hours upon hours on their dribbling. And of course their physical well-being cannot be avoided in a game as demanding as basketball. But Dolomiti Energia Trento forward Anthony Lamb believes players must not forget about their mental health.

Anthony Lamb: 'Take care of your mental health'

Every basketball player works on his shot. They spend hours upon hours on their dribbling. And of course their physical well-being cannot be avoided in a game as demanding as basketball. But [Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/trn/) forward [Anthony Lamb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-lamb/013272/) believes players must not forget about their mental health.

Lamb’s mental strength has made him a major contributor for Trento in his first season in the BKT EuroCup and Europe.

“Mental health is a process, and it's something that you have to focus on probably every day or as much as you can during the week. It's not that you have to focus on it every moment of the day, but you have to understand that there are ups and downs,” said Lamb, who is averaging 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists through 16 games for Trento.

"Just like your physical health, if you don't take care of your mental health, it will decline. So make sure you have somebody to talk to, make sure you have people around you that can support you and that you’re learning how to manage your own cycles and your own emotions, thoughts and the way you interact with the world. Those things go a long way with making sure that you not only can be happy and healthy, but you're getting stronger mentally.”

The top plays of Dolomiti Energia Trento forward Anthony Lamb through the first 16 rounds of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season.

Anthony Lamb's best plays this season

Lamb is convinced that the more you work on your mental health, the better you will cope with problems.

“Just like you can get strong in the weight room, getting strong mentally helps you handle adversity, helps you to handle stress. It helps you to build different disciplines that go into maintaining your mental health, but also making life a lot better and a lot more enjoyable,” he said.

Lamb insists people need to actively get their mental rips in – just like putting up shots during practice.

“Ask questions to people that can help you and find somebody that can help you grow stronger mentally, just like you would find a weight room coach to help you grow stronger in the weight room,” he noted.

Lamb says basketball is a good way for him to de-stress because it’s fun for him. It’s the daily grind off the court –  regular life, bills, making sure family is okay –  that causes him to stress, just like everyone else.

“I've had ups and downs mentally. And my times where I haven't focused on it or haven't put the time in to take care of my own mental health, those are usually the times where I'm the most stressed out or have the most anxiety. When I'm doing my work beforehand and preparing myself for the challenges that I face, that's usually when I'm at my best,” he stated.

“Things like that can weigh down on you if you don't take care of yourself first. So when you're aiming to take care of yourself first and making sure everything else comes second, it lets you prepare for each of those things as they come and not get overwhelmed by them if they all start to stack up on you.”

Mental health problems have become more normalized over the past few years. But Lamb said there are still many, many people who don’t talk about it. And therefore he urges people to ask their friends and loved ones about how they are doing.

“Check in on them to make sure that they are doing all right and are doing okay. And if something seems out of order or they seem like they're acting different in any way and you can notice that change, be willing and have enough courage to go up to them and ask them questions about what's going on with their own life, especially if you care about them,” Lamb said.

“The people around you are the only ones that can really know outside of yourself if you're doing okay or if you're looking like you're acting how you normally do or if something seems like it could be bothering you or stressing you out. And the people who are the strongest have the best ability to hide those times when they're feeling really down. So being willing to ask those questions and put yourself out there for the people around you to make sure that they're doing okay.”

<center>
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Lamb has learned the importance of strong mental health over the past few years. He found himself in a dark spot in December 2018 during his third season in college at the University of Vermont. Things were so bad and he didn’t feel like he had a support system around him that he considered committing suicide – contemplating jumping off a bridge late at night in Washington, D.C.

Lamb fought off those dark thoughts and returned to the hotel where his team was staying during a tournament in the D.C. area – many of his teammates and team staff not even knowing he had slipped out.

Lamb has worked his way up to big heights in the game since then.

He ended up playing 94 games in the NBA over three seasons, even getting a chance to play alongside veteran greats like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green on the Golden State Warriors in 2022-23.

“Learning from Steph, Clay, and Draymond at a younger age, it was cool to see how they prepared for the season and what they did at that point in their career to stay healthy, to manage the pressure of what the Warriors are and how much everybody shows them support but also how everybody wants to beat them, especially because they were coming off the championship year,” he said.

“So it was cool to see how professionals and Hall of Famers handled themselves in order to remain at the top and continue to play for such a long time. Those guys had 10 plus more years of experience than me. And to learn how they prepared every day definitely helped me a lot in my career.”

Lamb would eventually land with the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian NBL last season and was named to the All-NBL First Team. That came even though he missed the final month of the season after going down with a torn Achilles tendon in early February 2024.

“Missing the end of the year with the Breakers was definitely really hard. I'd fought the whole year and everybody on my team was fighting injuries, but not being able to finish out the season. It sucked, honestly,” he said.

That taught Lamb the important lesson that he has to take care of his body on his own.

“It's really important that you're willing to spend money and invest in yourself and in your own body in order to get yourself in the shape that you need to be because the teams pay you, but it's your responsibility to be ready to play at all times in that process,” he said.

Lamb really does understand the importance of taking care of your body… and your mind.

More Trento News

The Trento forward believes a player’s mind is just as important as his body and game

Look back at all the action in Round 16 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Top 10 photos from Round 16

Look back at all the action from Round 16 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season by checking out the best photos of the week! 

He had an ACL injury, the second in his career


Gran Canaria: Alocen, out for the season 

Dreamland Gran Canaria playmaker Carlos Alocen is set to miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL in his right knee. Alocen (1.94 meters, 24 years old) got injury early in the second quarter of his team's BKT EuroCup game against Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius. Alocen had a similar injury in his left knee back in 2020, playing for Real Madrid, which had him sidelined for the best part of two years: it took him 651 days to return to a basketball court. Alocen averaged 5.5 points and 3.1 assists in 16 EuroCup games this season.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">📝 Carlos Alocén sufre una rotura del ligamento cruzado.<br><br>▪ El jugador cayó lesionado de su rodilla derecha en el partido del miércoles. Fuerza, Carlos. Volverás mejor, volverás más fuerte.<br><br>¡Estamos contigo! ➡ <a href="https://t.co/b2J8RzJoOH">https://t.co/b2J8RzJoOH</a> <a href="https://t.co/LOVWseJJMx">pic.twitter.com/LOVWseJJMx</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1882730361505095950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Gran Canaria: Alocen out for the season 

Umana Reyer Venice remained in the fight to qualify for the playoffs from Group B with a narrow 76-75 home win over Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in Round 16 of the BKT EuroCup on Wednesday night.

A (missed) shot that changed this EuroCup season

[Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/umana-reyer-venice/roster/vnc/?season=2024-25) remained in the fight to qualify for the playoffs from Group B with [a narrow 76-75 home win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/mfiondu-kabengele-lifts-reyer-past-jerusalem-76-75/) over [Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-jerusalem/roster/jer/?season=2024-25) in Round 16 on Wednesday night.

After Reyer's win and other Round 16 results, there are now five teams with 9-7 records in Group B: [Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/roster/ttk/?season=2024-25), [U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/roster/clu/?season=2024-25), [Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/jl-bourg-en-bresse/roster/bou/?season=2024-25), Reyer and Jerusalem. Reyer faces a critical battle against Turk Telekom next week, as it has the tie-break disadvantage against all of its other direct opponents, being 0-2 against Cluj and 1-1 with negative point differentials against everybody else with a 9-7 record. Reyer claimed [a 75-67 home win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/gritty-reyer-grinds-out-a-lifeline-win-over-turk-telekom-75-67/) in Round 8 against Turk Telekom, so it arguably could be the biggest game of the season for Coach Neven Spahija's team.

Added to its big tie-break advantage over Reyer (1-1, + 27), Jerusalem is in a good situation against Cluj (1-1, +4) but still has to play on the road at Bourg and at home against Turk Telekom. On the flip side, Jerusalem beat these two teams earlier this season. Only one thing is certain in this mathematical nightmare: 11 wins will get you into the playoffs from Group B, meaning the aforementioned quintet all have their destinies in their own hands. 

Reyer vs. Jerusalem: final seconds

The game between Reyer and Jerusalem came down to the final seconds and re-shaped the playoff fight in Group B. Jerusalem called timeout with 22.8 seconds left and Reyer leading 76-75. The visitors put the ball in [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/)'s hands, and this season's EuroCup top scorer attacked the rim, trying to get a game-winning layup. Harper's block was blocked by [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mfiondu-kabengele/012796/) off the glass, right into [Khadeem Carrington](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/khadeen-carrington/008912/)'s hands.

Carrington had a terrific game until that point, slashing to the rim for easy points and making many mid-range shots. After a quick bounce, Carrington had a better look but [Tyler Ennis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-ennis/008858/) had time to contest the shot, which hit the rim almost at the buzzer. If Harper or Carrington had scored, Reyer would have been 8-8 and with most tie-breaks lost, while Jerusalem would have gone up to 10-6 and into the next round.

Game Videos

Jerusalem finished the game with 20 offensive rebounds, reaching that mark for the third time this season. It took 15 more field goal attempts than its opponent and 7 more free throw attempts, too. The visitors made only 24 of 50 two-pointers (48%) and 4 of 24 shots from beyond the arc (16.7%). Reyer's better percentages (63.2% 2FG, 26.3% 3FG) paid off down the stretch.

"Amazing! We made a lot of mistakes in the end, which I'm a little sad about, but we'll look at the film and get better about it," Kabengele said after the game. "Guys stay together, we were resilient and got stops, and that's all that matters. Sometimes in the game, things will come your way. It's all about who you are so I think we showed who we are in the end."

And now, almost anything can happen in the next two weeks, with one notable exception. One of those 9-7 teams will be going home. 

Game News

If Khadeem Carrington had converted a layup for Jerusalem in the dying seconds on Wednesday, the Group B playoff picture would look a lot different

Umana Reyer Venice v Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (2025-01-22T19:45:00.000Z)

A dominant individual performance in a winning effort allowed DJ Seeley of U-BT Cluj-Napoca to earn Round 16 MVP honors with a PIR of 33, the highest of any player in this round and a new personal-best mark.

Round 16 MVP: DJ Seeley, U-BT Cluj-Napoca

A dominant individual performance in a winning effort allowed [DJ Seeley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dennis-seeley/004862/) of [U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/clu/) to earn Round 16 MVP honors with a PIR of 33, the highest of any player in this round and a new personal-best mark.

Seeley led Cluj to a crucial 94-81 home victory over Turk Telekom Ankara. He finished the game with a career-high 31 points on 3-of-5 two-pointers, 8-of-9 three-pointers and 1-of-1 free throws, while he also had 1 assist, 1 steal and 5 fouls drawn for a PIR of 33. This is the second time that Seeley has secured MVP of the Round honors, having previously done so with Dreanland Gran Canaria in Game 2 of the 2016 semifinals. He is the fourth Cluj player to earn his honor, after Karel Guzman, Emanuel Cate and Zavier Simpson.

[Marek Blazevic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/marek-blazevic/008186/) of Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius had a PIR of 32 in his team's 88-76 home win over Gran Canaria. Blazevic had 27 points on 7-of-12 two-pointers and 13-of-13 free throws, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and 8 fouls drawn. 

His teammate [Andrew Andrews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-andrews/011248/) amassed a PIR of 31 in that same game. He had 25 points on 3-of-3 two-pointers, 3-of-8 three-pointers and 10 of 10 free throws, adding 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 6 fouls drawn. It is the first time in EuroCup history that two teammates have made 10 free throws apiece in a game without a single miss. 

[Djordje Gagic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/dorde-gagic/004229/) of 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys had a PIR of 30 and Cluj’s [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/) amassed a PIR of 29 to complete the top individual performances in Round 16. Gagic posted 27 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block, while Simpson amassed 21 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 steals.

### Individual highs: Darious Moten, Trefl, 5 blocks

DJ Seeley of Cluj led all scorers in Round 16 with 31 points. [Jared Harper](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jared-harper/011970/) of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem is the competition's top scorer with 22.3 points per game.

[Kur Kuath](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kur-kuath/013313/) of Veolia Towers Hamburg pulled down 11 rebounds, more than anyone in Round 16. [Mfiondu Kabengele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/mfiondu-kabengele/012796/) ranks first overall with 9.3 boards per night.

Zavier Simpson of Cluj and [Anthony Cowan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/anthony-cowan-jr/012003/) of Wolves were the only players to reach double digits in assists with 10 apiece. Simpson is also the overall leader with 7.2 assists per game. 

[Berk Ugurlu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/berk-ugurlu/003783/) of Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul collected 4 steals in this round. [Andrew Albicy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-albicy/003425/) of Dreamland Gran Canaria ranks first overall with 2.1 per night.

[Darious Moten](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/darious-moten/013516/) of Trefl Sopot had 5 blocks in Round 16. [Kyle Alexander](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kyle-alexander/011973/) of Turk Telekom leads the 2024-25 EuroCup in blocks with 2.3 per game.

Simpson (21 points, 10 assists) and Kuath (14 points, 11 rebounds) were the only players to register a double-double in this round.

This is the second time he has earned MVP of the Round honors in his career

Congratulations to Branislav Popadic, our 16th winner in the 2024-25 EuroCup Fantasy Challenge! Branislav's team, 'Loza2Land', posted a score of 216.25.

EuroCup Fantasy Challenge: Round 16 winner

Congratulations to Branislav Popadic, our 16th winner in the 2024-25 [EuroCup Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/)! Branislav's team, 'Loza2Land', posted a score of 216.25.

Branislav had the following starting lineup: Zavier Simpson of U-BT Cluj-Napoca as team captain, and his teammate DJ Seeley, then Turk Telekom Ankara's Anthony Brown, Noa Essengue of ratiopharm Ulm and Kur Kuath of Veolia Towers Hamburg. Jared Harper of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem was the sixth man.

The head coach of Branislav's team was Dusan Alimpijevic of Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul, while the four bench players were Derek Needham of Besiktas, Berkan Durmaz of Turk Telekom, Mfiondu Kabengele of Umana Reyer Venice and Sergio De Larrea of Valencia Basket.  

The prize for finishing first in Round 16 is a free subscription to Euroleague TV for the 2025-26 season, so congratulations, Branislav!

The leader in the overall standings remains Milos Mihajlovic and his squad, 'BallIsLife', which has a total of 2,792.25 points after the first 16 rounds. Trades are now open for Round 16. Remember, four trades are allowed before each round until the end of the regular season.

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

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

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse survived a late Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana onslaught for a vital 87-82 win behind a career-high 22 points and 7 boards from Maxime Salash in a thrilling BKT EuroCup clash.
The backcourt pairing of Hugo Benitez and Xavier Castaneda were also instrumental 

Bourg leaned on Maxime Salash and backcourt duo to subdue Cedevita

[Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/jl-bourg-en-bresse/roster/bou/?season=2024-25) survived a late [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana/roster/lju/?season=2024-25) onslaught for [a vital 87-82 win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bourg-holds-on-for-big-win-over-cedevita-87-82/) behind a career-high 22 points and 7 boards from [Maxime Salash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/maksim-salash/004525/) in a thrilling BKT EuroCup clash.

The backcourt pairing of [Hugo Benitez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/hugo-benitez/010449/) and [Xavier Castaneda](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/xavier-castaneda/013266/) were also instrumental in the success, as the guards scored 14 points apiece to complement Salash’s efforts.

The outcome kept Bourg in the playoff picture with two regular season rounds remaining, as the French team improved to 9-7 and stayed in contention for the runner-up spot which guarantees an automatic quarterfinal berth.

Cedevita, on the other hand, dropped to 10-6 and must now win both its remaining games to make sure of finishing second in Group B, behind runaway leader Valencia Basket which is assured of clinching the group.

Salash, who averages 10.8 points per game, shined throughout as he shot 8 of 11 from the floor and 4 of 5 from the foul line in 20 minutes on the court, providing the edge Bourg needed against a physical and athletic Cedevita outfit.

The 28-year-old from Belarus was unstoppable on offense while he also constituted a wall at the other end, managing a pair of steals too as Bourg ultimately prevailed on the back of ironclad defense in the second and third quarters.

Third-quarter offense was also vital, with the home team winning that period 30-17 and eventually holding on after Cedevita had launched a spirited late fightback which fell short.

“It was a tough game but we stayed solid throughout as we corrected some first-half mistakes and played better in the second,” a delighted Salash said in his postgame comments.

“The whole team performed today and it was more about defense than offense, but I am glad I scored some points. We have two very important games left in the fight for the playoff spots,” he added.

Coach Frederic Fauthoux was also pleased with the result ahead of the clutch games against Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem at home and Valencia away.

“We played great defense, especially on their in-form player [Brynton Lemar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/brynton-lemar/013261/), as we did a good job on him,” he said. “We struggled in the last 3 minutes of the game but we controlled the rebounds and it’s a great victory.”

Lemar was limited to 8 points as he shot 0 of 5 from downtown, with Cedevita making just 6 of 17 from deep against Bourg’s aggressive defense on the perimeter.

The Slovenian team is at home to Valencia in a Round 17 blockbuster before closing out its regular season campaign at Veolia Towers Hamburg.

The versatile forward posted a career-high 22 points to propel the French team to victory 

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse v Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2025-01-22T18:30:00.000Z)