Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem came out victorious from a crucial battle for a top-two finish by beating U-BT Cluj-Napoca 79-91 on Wednesday in Round 14 of the BKT EuroCup

Jerusalem powers past Cluj, 79-91

Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem came out victorious from a crucial battle for a top-two finish by beating U-BT Cluj-Napoca 79-91 on Wednesday evening. Jared Harper and Khadeen Carrington combined for 44 points to snap Cluj’s five-game winning streak at Bt-Arena. With this win, Jerusalem improved its record to 9-5 and claimed the head-to-head advantage against Cluj which dropped to 7-7.

Carrington paced Jerusalem with a career-high 23 points, while Harper finished the game with 21 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. Justin Smith netted 13 points, Jeremy Morgan had 11 and Yovel Zoosman added 10. For Cluj, D.J. Seeley scored a game-high 27 points, Zavier Simpson recorded 17 and De'Shawn Stephens tallied 11.

Game Videos

Seeley got Cluj going with 5 points and Simpson opened his account from the line for a 7-2 lead. Harper made 3 from the charity stripe, with Carrington netting only the third field goal of the game 7 minutes into the first quarter for a 7-8 Jerusalem edge. Then, Carrington added 7 points to his tally and Gabriel Chachashvili dunked in transition to open a 9-17 lead after 10 minutes.

Smith and Stephens traded buckets to open the second quarter before Seeley drained back-to-back triples that slashed the deficit to 17-19. Stephens completed a three-point play to extend Cluj’s run to 11-0, putting his team in front, 20-19. Buckets from Seeley and Tudor Somacescu were followed by a triple from Gediminas Orelik, with the hosts maintaining a 27-23 lead. Then, Adam Mokoka and Orelik gave Cluj a 33-25 cushion. Five points from Morgan and a Carrington layup cut the difference to 35-32. Simpson netted his first field goal of the game, but Harper nailed his first triple to bring Jerusalem within 37-35 at the break.

Game News

Harper nailed a layup, but Cluj made the most of an unsportsmanlike foul from Tarik Phillip, with Seeley sinking his fourth three-pointer for a 42-37 lead. Back-to-back buckets from Zoosman were followed by a Smith put-back basket to put Jerusalem back ahead, 42-43. But Seeley drilled another one from deep and Stephens netted inside to make it 47-44. Morgan and Orelik traded triples before a hard-fought bucket by Derek Ogbeide and a Zoosman basket off the glass gave Jerusalem a 54-55 edge. Then, Morgan sank a triple and Harper nailed a jumper that allowed the visitors to maintain a 59-61 lead heading into the closing quarter.

Mareks Mejeris opened the fourth with a floater, but Chris Johnson scored a put-back bucket and Carrington completed a three-point play to open a 61-66 lead. Buckets from Simpson and Zach Hankins sandwiched a triple by Carrington before Harper scored twice inside to set a 67-73 cushion. Simpson made 3 of 4 from the line, but Chachashvili responded with a three-point play and Smith netted in the paint for a 70-78 lead. Six points from Smith and a three from Carrington opened a 76-89 lead to seal the victory for the visitors.

The visitors grabbed an important victory in the battle for a top-two spot

U-BT Cluj-Napoca v Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (2025-01-08T17:00:00.000Z)

Tai Odiase, Tyler Cavanaugh and Axel Bouteille made the difference down the stretch

Bahcesehir edges Buducnost in OT, 95-93!

Bahcesehir College Istanbul outlasted Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 95-93 in an overtime thriller at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall on Wednesday night. With the win, Bahcesehir's third in a row, it improved to 12-2 to remain atop Group A. Buducnost dropped to 6-8 and saw its own three-game winning streak come to an end.

Axel Bouteille led the winners with 23 points and 9 rebounds. Jaleen Smith added 19 points and 9 assists, Tyler Cavanaugh scored 18, Tai Odiase posted 16 points and 10 rebounds and Sehmus Hazer tallied 11 points for Bahcesehir. Yogi Ferrell paced Buducnost with 16 points. Juwan Morgan and McKinley Wright each added 14, Kenan Kamenjas 12 and Fletcher Magee 11.

Hazer got Bahcesehir going with a four-meter jumper. Ferrell improved on that with a three-pointer before Cavanaugh helped the hosts regain a 5-3 lead. After Morgan scored down low, Bouteille struck from downtown and Smith's three-point play boosted Bahcesehir's lead to 11-5. Smith bettered Ferrell's layup with a triple. Kamenjas scored in the low post and Rasheed Sulaimon's jumper brought the visitors within 15-11. Morgan struck from beyond the arc and soon added a dunk that capped a 1-11 run, prompting Bahcesehir to call timeout at 15-18. Odiase stepped up for the hosts, but then Magee joined the three-point shootout to fix the score at 17-21 after 10 minutes. 

Wright made a mid-range jumper early in the second quarter. Hazer answered with a driving layup and Bouteille added a three-point play that caused Buducnost to call timeout at 22-23. Alen Omic scored in the paint and Djordje Jovanovic buried a corner triple to give Buducnost fresh air at 22-28. Omic kept pushing Buducnost with a layup and a tip-in, but Smith and Odiase kept Bahcesehir within 30-32. Smith and Kamenjas traded layups before Sulaimon's three-pointer boosted the visitors' lead to 32-39. Bouteille answered from downtown and Odiase erased Ferrell's jumper with a layup to bring Bahcesehir within 37-41 at halftime.

Ferrell sank a mid-range jumper right after the break. Kamenjas added a driving layup for a 37-45 Buducnost lead. Odiase buried a jump hook and Cavanaugh struck from beyond the arc in a 7-0 run that Bouteille capped with a jumper. Sulaimon buried a six-meter shot and Kamenjas added a put-back layup, but Bouteille hit back-to-back triples to put Bahcesehir ahead, 50-49. Ferrell found Anrdija Slavkovic for a layup and added a three-pointer to restore a 50-54 Buducnost lead. Kamenjas made a shot over the backboard, but Marko Simonovic and Smith kept the hosts within 55-56. After Wright downed a jumper, Odiase sank free throws. Furkan Korkmaz's buzzer-beating triple put Buducnost ahead, 61-58, through three quarters.

Simonovic stepped up with a put-back layup early in the fourth quarter. Magee struck twice from beyond the arc to give Buducnost a 63-64 lead with 8 minutes left. After Tanaskovic dropped in a jump hook, Smith scored off a steal. Odiase's fastbreak basket caused the visitors to call timeout at 68-66. Magee scored again and Kamenjas's backdoor layup put Buducnost back ahead, 69-70. Hazer scored off the baseline and Cavanaugh struck twice from downtown in a 9-0 run that gave the hosts a 77-70 lead. Ferrell sank a jumper and Wright struck from beyond the arc to make it 77-75 with 2:28 remaining. After Wright made a one-handed jumper in the lane, Smith sank free throws. Morgan's three-pointer gave Buducnost a 79-80 lead with 29.3 seconds left. Smith answered from downtown and Javonovic's buzzer-beating jumper sent the game to overtime at 82-82.

Bouteille hit a three-pointer early in the extra period. After Morgan made free throws, Hazer scored in penetration. Wright followed a put-back basket with a jumper for an 87-88 Buducnost lead with 1:25 remaining. Cavanaugh rescued Bahcesehir with a bomb from downtown and Odiase finished a four-chance offense with free throws that seemed to seal the outcome, 92-88, with 12.1 seconds left. But after Sulaimon made free throws, Hazer, Wright and Cavanaugh each split attempts and instead of trying a three-point shot, Ferrell went for a driving layup for a 94-93 score with 2.2 seconds left. Hazer drew a foul and Sulaimon's 25-meter attempt on the buzzer was off the mark.

Bahcesehir edges Buducnost in OT, 95-93

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2025-01-08T16:00:00.000Z)

Round 14 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup Regular Season sees the race for the playoffs go up a notch. 

Game Center: Round 14

## Wednesday, January 8

### [Bahcesehir College Istanbul 95-93 Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/bahcesehir-college-istanbul-buducnost-voli-podgorica/U2024/135/)

Bahcesehir outlasted Buducnost in an overtime thriller at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall. With the win, Bahcesehir's third in a row, it improved to 12-2 to remain atop Group A. Buducnost dropped to 6-8 and saw its own three-game winning streak come to an end. Axel Bouteille led the winners with 23 points and 9 rebounds and Jaleen Smith added 19 points and 9 assists and Tai Odiase posted a double-double. Yogi Ferrell paced Buducnost with 16 points.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">💪 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐖!<br><br>BKT EuroCup | A Grubu 14. Maç | Maç Sonucu | Bahçeşehir Koleji 95 - 93 Buducnost VOLI<br><br>•⁠ ⁠Axel Bouteille: 23 sayı, 9 ribaund<br>•⁠ ⁠Jaleen Smith: 19 sayı, 3 ribaund, 9 asist<br>•⁠ ⁠Tyler Cavanaugh: 18 sayı, 6 ribaund, 1 asist<br>•⁠ ⁠Tai Odiase: 16… <a href="https://t.co/c5QlAW4ECP">pic.twitter.com/c5QlAW4ECP</a></p>&mdash; Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (@BKBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/BKBasketbol/status/1877059556515164310?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [U-BT Cluj-Napoca 79-91 Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/u-bt-cluj-napoca-hapoel-bank-yahav-jerusalem/U2024/136/)

Jerusalem came out victorious from a crucial battle for a top-two finish by beating Cluj. Jared Harper and Khadeen Carrington combined for 44 points to snap Cluj’s five-game winning streak at Bt-Arena. With this win, Jerusalem improved its record to 9-5 and claimed the head-to-head advantage against Cluj which dropped to 7-7. Carrington paced Jerusalem with a career-high 23 points, while Harper finished the game with 21 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. For Cluj, D.J. Seeley scored a game-high 27 points.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">חוזרים מקלוז&#39; עם נצחון קבוצתי מלא באופי! <a href="https://t.co/srGaYPkyut">pic.twitter.com/srGaYPkyut</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Jerusalem BC (@JerusalemBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerusalemBasket/status/1877066598390898995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius 74-97 Trefl Sopot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius-trefl-sopot/U2024/131/)

Trefl registered its first win of the season, and it did so in style, going on the road and thrashing Wolves. The win improved already-eliminated Trefl's record to 1-13 in Group A, while Wolves dropped to 7-7. Trefl never trailed after the first quarter, but pulled away with a 1-16 run in the third quarter and never looked back. Jaroslaw Zyskowski had 20 points and 9 rebounds in the win and Darious Moten scored 19. Anthony Cowan led Wolves with 17 points and 8 assists.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="pl" dir="ltr">𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐲𝐠𝐫𝐲𝐰𝐚 𝐰 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐂𝐮𝐩 ❗<br><br>PS W sobotę wszyscy do Hali 100-lecia 🏀<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/lTdRT6YQpZ">pic.twitter.com/lTdRT6YQpZ</a></p>&mdash; MISTRZ POLSKI 2024 🏆 (@treflsopot) <a href="https://twitter.com/treflsopot/status/1877068165970014319?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 98-79 Aris Midea Thessaloniki](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana-aris-midea-thessaloniki/U2024/140/)

Cedevita stayed on track for a postseason berth after improving its Group B record to 8-5 with a comfortable home win over Aris, which dropped to 3-11 following another lackluster display. A balanced workload on offense saw five home players finish in double figures in points with Brynton Lemar pacing Cedevita with 18. Cedevita dished out a team total of 21 assists and forced 17 turnovers from Aris. At the other end, Sharife Cooper paced Aris with 17 points.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DRAGONS WIN! Important triumph on our mission to qualify for the Playoffs in the <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevaDruzina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevaDruzina</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DragonFamily?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DragonFamily</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BKTEuroCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BKTEuroCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/lhYFiqmMKl">pic.twitter.com/lhYFiqmMKl</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana - English (@KKCedOL_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL_EN/status/1877078482678661149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Joventut Badalona 93-70 Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/joventut-badalona-besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/U2024/132/)

Joventut returned to winning ways in Group A by thrashing Besiktas at home in Round 14. Joventut improved to 5-9 in the standings and earned the potential head-to-head tie-break advantage against Besiktas, which dropped to 7-7. Kassius Robertson paced the winners with 17 points. Devon Dotson added 16, Artem Pustovyi had 12 while Adam Hanga got 11 for Joventut. Jonah Mathews led Besiktas with 18 points.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">🔒 FINAAAAAL! Victòria i average per seguir amb opcions a l&#39;Eurocup!<a href="https://twitter.com/Penya1930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Penya1930</a> 93-70 <a href="https://twitter.com/BJK_Basketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJK_Basketbol</a><br><br>🎯 Kassius Robertson: 17 punts / Devon Dotson: 16 punts<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CityOfBadalona?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CityOfBadalona</a> <a href="https://t.co/14wEGMV89F">pic.twitter.com/14wEGMV89F</a></p>&mdash; Club Joventut Badalona (@Penya1930) <a href="https://twitter.com/Penya1930/status/1877089301613142091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Veolia Towers Hamburg 77-90 Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/veolia-towers-hamburg-umana-reyer-venice/U2024/137/)

Reyer continued its surge upwards in the Group B standings with a road victory at Hamburg. Reyer was cruising and built a 25-point lead early in the second half before Hamburg trimmed the gap to 9 points in the fourth quarter. But the visitors never gave up control and collected their sixth win in the last seven games for an 8-6 record. Jordan Parks paced Reyer with 19 points and 7 rebounds and Kyle Wiltjer added 16 points for the winners. Jordan Barnett and Brae Ivey both scored 16 points for Hamburg, which fell to 3-11 after having won three of its last four home games. With the loss, Hamburg has been eliminated from playoff contention.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Reyer Venice grab an important win on the road!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/GaikjwmOsR">pic.twitter.com/GaikjwmOsR</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1877089114484343061?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

## Tuesday, January 7

### [ratiopharm Ulm 76-83 Dreamland Gran Canaria](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/ratiopharm-ulm-dreamland-gran-canaria/U2024/133/)

Gran Canaria took a giant step towards a top-two spot in Group A after knocking off Ulm on the road to snap a two-game losing streak. Gran Canaria blew a tight game wide open with a 0-16 fourth-quarter run to improve to 10-4 on the season. The win would eventually clinch the team a playoff berth after Wednesday's results were completed. The Spanish side won both games against Ulm this season - including a 125-78 blowout in Round 5. Carlos Alocen collected 14 points and 5 assists and Mike Tobey tallied 10 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks for the winners. Ulm saw its five-game winning streak snapped to fall to 9-5. Ben Saraf poured in a career-high 19 points in the loss.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏀 Final:<br><br>🟧 ratiopharm Ulm 76<br>🐥 Dreamland Gran Canaria 83<br><br>🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VamosGranca?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VamosGranca</a> <a href="https://t.co/pOYh7jOcCP">pic.twitter.com/pOYh7jOcCP</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1876720395098730898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv 89-68 Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv-dolomiti-energia-trento/U2024/134/)

Hapoel extended its winning streak to three games by crushing Trento on Tuesday evening at Samokov Arena in Bulgaria. The hosts led by double digits for the majority of the game to grab a comfortable home victory. Hapoel improved its record to 9-5, with Trento, whose head coach Paolo Galbiati missed the game due to illness, dropping to 4-10. Bruno Caboclo led all scorers with 19 points, which he paired with 8 rebounds. Antonio Blakeney added 13 points. Jordan Ford paced Trento with 17 points.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">הפועל מנצחת את טרנטו ועולה למאזן 5:9 ביורוקאפ!<br><br>הקבוצה תשוב לישראל מחר ותחל בהכנות לקראת משחק הליגה מול הפועל ירושלים (שבת, 19:05).<br><br>מכירת הכרטיסים למשחק נפתחה לקהל הרחב. לרכישת כרטיס &gt;&gt;<br> <a href="https://t.co/6qQSx01f66">https://t.co/6qQSx01f66</a> <a href="https://t.co/bPgOheEfK1">pic.twitter.com/bPgOheEfK1</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1876719853681185060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse 79-66 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse-7bet-lietkabelis-panevezys/U2024/139/)

Bourg improved to 7-7 in Group B and snapped a three-game skid after a thoroughly deserved home win over Lietkabelis, which dropped to 4-9 and dented its slim hopes of reaching the postseason. Jordan Usher paced Bourg with 17 points and 9 boards while Brandon Jefferson and Xavier Castaneda chipped in with 11 points each for the French team, which stifled the visitors with ironclad defense to wipe out a 34-36 halftime deficit. Oleksandr Kovliar netted 16 points for Lietkabelis, which was undone by woeful shooting from downtown (2 of 18) as well as 16 offensive rebounds from Bourg – twice as many as the visitors managed.  

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">VICTOIRE ✅<br><br>COSEA JL Bourg - 79 🆚 66 - <a href="https://twitter.com/BCLietkabelis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BCLietkabelis</a> <br><br>Après un dernier quart-temps maitrisé, la Jeu décroche sa 1ʳᵉ victoire de l&#39;année 2025 à Ekinox et s&#39;impose face à Lietkabelis !! 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeRedy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeRedy</a>｜<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> ｜<a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/TlaEY4HwwY">pic.twitter.com/TlaEY4HwwY</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1876731231930343674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### [Valencia Basket 116-78 Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/valencia-basket-turk-telekom-ankara/U2024/138/)

Valencia bounced back in style from its two last defeats and rolled over visiting Turk Telekom at La Fontenta. The hosts trailed 4-8 early in the first period, but after the first triple went in, Valencia displayed an unstoppable offensive machinery that totally obliterated its opponent. With this victory, the home team improved to 12-2 to remain atop Group B, while Turk Telekom saw its four-game winning streak come to an end and slipped to 8-6. Xabi Lopez-Arostegui led six Valencia scorers in double digits with 20 points and also added 6 boards and 5 assists. Brancou Badio, Jaime Pradilla, Chris Jones and Semi Ojeleye followed with 12 points apiece. Berkan Durmaz paced Turk Telekom with 16 points and 6 boards.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">VAMOOOOOOOOOOOS 🧡<br><br>Comenzamos el último año de la Fonteta con victoria en el debut en la Fonteta 😍<br><br>🟠 <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@valenciabasket</a> 116<br>🔵 <a href="https://twitter.com/TT_Basketbol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TT_Basketbol</a> 78<br><br>🏆 J14 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroCup</a><br>🤝 <a href="https://twitter.com/MilarCOMELSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MilarCOMELSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/1VfNql99OT">pic.twitter.com/1VfNql99OT</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1876741034891202797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Gran Canaria, which won on Tuesday, joined Valencia and Bahcesehir as the third playoff qualifier this season

Game Center: Trefl, Reyer, Jerusalem claim Wednesday wins on the road

Joventut Badalona v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2025-01-08T18:30:00.000Z)

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse v 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2025-01-07T18:30:00.000Z)

Veolia Towers Hamburg v Umana Reyer Venice (2025-01-08T18:30:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2025-01-08T17:45:00.000Z)

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius v Trefl Sopot (2025-01-08T17:00:00.000Z)

Valencia Basket v Turk Telekom Ankara (2025-01-07T19:30:00.000Z)

ratiopharm Ulm v Dreamland Gran Canaria (2025-01-07T18:00:00.000Z)

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2025-01-07T18:00:00.000Z)

Good news, BKT EuroCup fans! The much-anticipated mid-season survey by the EuroCup GMs is here, which comes not long after the halfway stage of the regular season.

The GMs' mid-season survey has landed!

Good news, BKT EuroCup fans! The much-anticipated mid-season survey by the EuroCup GMs is here, which comes not long after the halfway stage of the regular season.

Let's start with whom the GMs think will be the 2024-25 EuroCup MVP...

This Israeli guard has really caught many people's attention this season...

Leading the EuroCup in PIR and scoring, this is no surprise...

Second all-time in steals, going up against this guy is always a challenge.

These two certainly know how to light it up from three!

The current leader in assists, he has left his mark in his rookie EuroCup season...

Just 21 years old, the Dominican Republic international is a star for both the present and the future...

Few head coaches have been able to get the better of this play-caller this season...

Is this the EuroCup Finals matchup we will end up seeing?

Having scored 100 or more points in nine of its 14 games so far, this team knows how to put on a show...

Boasting two of the top young prospects in Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue, this team has raised a few eyebrows...

After opening the season with 11 straight wins, this team has been a tough matchup all year long...

When it comes to creativity, this club's social media team has it in abundance...

Check out what the EuroCup GMs had to say after the halfway point of the 2024-25 season

Valencia Basket erupted for a club-record 116 points as it thrashed Turk Telekom Ankara 116-78 to get back to winning ways in the EuroCup.

Valencia suffocated Turk Telekom with red-hot offensive performance

After going unbeaten through the first 11 games of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season, [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/pam/) seemed to have lost some momentum of late having lost 106-107 to 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys in overtime and 81-74 at Umana Reyer Venice in back-to-back contests.

The challenge for Valencia was not only to bounce back from this setback to secure a top spot in the group as soon as possible, having already booked its spot for the EuroCup Playoffs, but to do so against one of the hottest teams in the competition. 

Ahead of Round 14, [Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/ttk/) had improved its record to 8-5 thanks to four wins in a row. The Turkish team hadn’t lost in the competition since November, as the streak began with a 93-98 road win over Lietkabelis on December 4. Later, Turk Telekom defeated Aris Midea Thessaloniki (87-77), Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (74-80), and Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (98-89) last week.

During those wins, Turk Telekom had proved to be in great shape offensively, averaging 90.8 points behind its improved three-point shooting – averaging 13.3 threes from 28.5 attempts per contest – and individual performances from [Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-brown/009025/), who scored 8-of-9 triples against Bourg and was averaging 21.0 points per night in those four victories.

But Valencia had other plans for Turk Telekom’s sharpshooter and the whole team, with the hosts needing just 20 minutes to prove it.

Brown had to wait until the third period to convert his first field goal – after seven attempts – and Turk Telekom finished the first half just 3 of 15 from behind the arc. At that moment, Valencia was already dominating by 18 points (52-34) after demonstrating its almost unstoppable firepower.

The Spaniards were 19 of 34 from the field, including 7 three-pointers made from 14 attempts, while they dominated the boards 23-15 and doubled their opponent in assists (12 against 6). Overall, Valencia’s PIR was 68 while Turk Telekom’s players combined for 31 at the interval.

“I think we saw that we played like we normally do during the season,” Valencia forward [Xabi Lopez-Arostegui](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/xabi-lopez-arostegui/005356/) remarked after the game. “We played as a team, like we are doing in almost every game. And that's our key; we like to play defense, share the ball, and try to run.”

After the intermission, Turk Telekom was able to get within 13 points midway in the third quarter (62-49), but Valencia didn’t tremble and continued punishing Erdem Can’s men by making it rain from three-point territory, finishing fast breaks and converting offensive rebounds. As such, the lead continued to swell and swell until it reached a game-high 48-point difference (108-60) with 3 minutes remaining. Valencia finished with a club-record 116 points in a dominant 116-78 win.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🧡 𝙉𝙤𝙘𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙<br><br>🔸 Los 116 puntos es la máxima anotación de la historia del Valencia Basket en Europa, superando los 113 conseguidos el 14 de diciembre de 1999 en Copa Saporta ante el Arsenal Tula.<br><br>🔸 Así mismo, es la quinta mejor anotación de la historia del… <a href="https://t.co/dIWQ1SuxsK">pic.twitter.com/dIWQ1SuxsK</a></p>&mdash; Valencia Basket Club (@valenciabasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/valenciabasket/status/1876746505450848396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I think this is the first time this season we’ve play at the same level for the 40 minutes,” Valencia head coach Pedro Martinez confessed. “It’s difficult because sometimes you have problems when we take some advantages; in the first half of the third quarter, to play serious and concentrated in the last quarter. We did it today and for that reason I’m happy.”

 

Bouncing back with such a sound display against the Turks was something Lopez-Arostegui also celebrated.

 

“The season is very long, and we try to stay as consistent as possible,” he noted. “We believe a lot in our work ethic, and that’s what we do every day. It’s impossible to win all the games; there are teams that also play at the highest level.

 

“But we believe in our job, like I said, so \[we must\] push ourselves as much as possible and try to play the best basketball possible.”

The hosts blew the Turkish side away to snap the visitors’ four-game winning streak

Less than two months after setting the club record for scoring when it defeated Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 109-80 at home, Valencia Basket surpassed that mark with time to spare in routing Turk Telekom Ankara 116-78

Valencia started 2025 with a historic win

Coming off a two-game losing streak that seemed to have broken momentum, [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/roster/pam/?season=2024-25) hosted [Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/roster/ttk/?season=2024-25) with the intention of stepping up and getting closer to securing first place in Group B of the BKT Eurocup.

Early in the first quarter, it looked like the game could be a close one as the visitors led 4-8 with Valencia struggling on its first few offenses.

But, once the first triple went in from the hands of [Semi Ojeleye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/semi-ojeleye/011982/), nothing could stop the hosts from soaring to one of the most impressive victories in club history.

Less than two months after setting the [club record for scoring](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/valencia-set-its-scoring-record-in-chris-jones-return/) when [it defeated Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 109-80](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/valencia-remains-perfect-with-blowout-of-cedevita-109-80/) at home, Valencia Basket surpassed that mark when [Nathan Reuvers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nathan-reuvers/012738/) converted an offensive rebound to make it 110-65 with 2:34 remaining. [Brancou Badio](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/brancou-badio/007527/) and Sestina followed with 4 and 2 points respectively, to raise the bar to 116.

The reasons behind such an incredible performance on Tuesday night can be explained by some numbers, like the three-point percentage (16 of 31, 51.6%), superb ball movement (28 assists), remarkable domination under the boards (45 rebounds, 15 in offense, against 28 and 8) and a strong and solid rotation, with all players (11) scoring and producing.

This was the ninth game of fourteen in which Valencia reached triple digits in scoring as a team in the competition to become the hottest offensive team in Europe right now, if you also count the five times Valencia has achieved the same in the Spanish League.

The offensive exhibition against Turk Telekom allowed Valencia to set a club record also in PIR, as it recorded 146, 3 more than the final PIR it authored against Cedevita on November 12. This comes just one month and one week after Valencia went for a PIR of 155 against Turkish Airlines EuroLeague side Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Spanish League, where they defeated the Basque team 91-116 on the road.

The Spanish club set club records in points scored (116) and PIR (146)

Hapoel Tel Aviv’s starters set the tone on Tuesday evening at Samokov Arena in Bulgaria, but it was the second unit that stole the limelight in the 89-68 home victory over Dolomiti Energia Trento in Round 14 of the BKT EuroCup.

Total team effort was key to Hapoel’s thrashing of Trento

Opening a double-digit lead may not be a tough challenge for a team that boasts [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/roster/hta/?season=2024-25)’s offensive prowess. Yet, maintaining it for most of the game takes a huge effort from starters and bench players alike. Hapoel’s starters set the tone on Tuesday evening at Samokov Arena in Bulgaria, but it was the second unit that stole the limelight in [the 89-68 home victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/hapoel-cruises-past-trento-89-68/) over [Dolomiti Energia Trento](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/dolomiti-energia-trento/roster/trn/?season=2024-25) in Round 14.

[Coach Dimitris Itoudis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/hta/itoudis-dimitris/?season=U2024)’s side secured their first double-figure advantage thanks to [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/)’s first triple of the game to make it 29-17 a few seconds into the second quarter. From that point on, Hapoel never looked back, with its reserves outscoring the starters 49-40.

The protagonist of the second unit was Caboclo, who came off the bench to stretch the floor with his ability to punish opponents who allow him open looks from beyond the arc. Having gone 3-for-4 from deep, the Hapoel big man finished the duel with a season-high 19 points.

Bruno Caboclo went off on Trento

After the clash, Caboclo stressed that Itoudis has managed to squeeze out the maximum of each of his players.

“He’s on us a lot and I think that this brings urgency from everybody,” Caboclo said. “Even on the bench, guys who play 2 minutes give a lot on the court and I think that this is what makes us a very good team.”  

Nine different players opened their account before the break and 11 of the 12 who stepped onto the floor managed to celebrate a score of their own by the final whistle. Yet, the only player who went scoreless was one of those who stood out with his outing.

[Ish Wainright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/ishmail-carzell-wainright/013284/) ended the game with 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals, hustling for each ball in his 21:02 minutes on the floor. His performance forced Itoudis to single the forward out, with the Greek coach being full of praise for Wainright after the win.

“We were in control of the game from the beginning to the end,” the Hapoel boss noted. “We really played team basketball. We wanted to try different lineups and managed to stay on the same level even though we were changing lineups. We have players like Ish Wainright, who was scoreless, but helped the team equally as Bruno Caboclo, who was the first scorer.”

Having extended its winning streak to three games, Hapoel will look to build on its momentum next week away at Buducnost VOLI Podgorica. Should Itoudis’s side pull off a similar team effort at Moraca, Hapoel would have laid the foundation for its 10th win of the season.

Hapoel's bench players outscored the starters in Tuesday's rout 

Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (7-7) stayed in the hunt for a BTK EuroCup postsason berth with a 79-66 home win over 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (4-9), thanks to a huge defensive effort that forced a forgettable shooting night from the visitors.

Strong defense carried Bourg to lifeline win over Lietkabelis

[Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/jl-bourg-en-bresse/roster/bou/?season=2024-25) (7-7) stayed in the hunt for a BTK EuroCup postsason berth with [a 79-66 home win](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/bourg-dismantles-lietkabelis-79-66-to-remain-in-postseason-picture/) over [7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/lietkabelis-panevezys/roster/lkb/?season=2024-25) (4-9), thanks to a huge defensive effort that forced a forgettable shooting night from the visitors.

Aggressive perimeter pressure had Lietkabelis making only 2 of 18 from downtown and the disjointed Lithuanian side also struggled from the foul line (18 of 29), while committing 15 turnovers against a mere 14 assists.

Crucially, Bourg made 11 three-pointers and thoroughly dominated the boards, 43-30, having racked up 16 offensive rebounds while Lietkabelis managed only half as many.

Bourg big man [Kevin Kokila](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kevin-kokila/011837/), who posted 9 points and as many boards in a physical contest, concurred it was a vital victory for the French outfit in its bid to squeeze into the postseason picture. 

“It was a very important game for us to keep our season going,” Kokila told EuroLeague TV. “We played tough in the second half, we controlled the ball on offense and that’s how we were able to build the gap. We’ve had some ups and downs this season but today we beat a very good team and we have to keep going this way."

The home team’s head coach [Frederic Fauthoux](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/cosea-jl-bourg-en-bresse/bou/fauthoux-frederic/?season=U2024) heaped praise on a comprehensive effort at both ends of the court. “Perhaps for the first time this season, we played really good defense,” he said. “We played well at both ends of the court and I am very happy for this win. We dominated the paint in the second half and that was crucial.”

In Round 15, Lietkabelis aims to keep its slim postseason hopes alive with a tough home game against runaway Group B leader Valencia Basket, while Bourg visits lowly Aris Midea Thessaloniki.  

The French team suffocated its Lithuanian rival with a physical approach 

Valencia Basket bounced back in style from its two last defeats and rolled over visiting Turk Telekom Ankara, 116-78, at La Fontenta on Tuesday night

Valencia demolishes Turk Telekom, 116-78, in record effort

Valencia Basket bounced back in style from its two last defeats and rolled over visiting Turk Telekom Ankara, 116-78, at La Fontenta on Tuesday night. The hosts trailed 4-8 early in the first period, but after the first triple went in, Valencia displayed an unstoppable offensive machinery that totally obliterated its opponent. With this victory, the home team improved to 12-2 to remain atop Group B, while Turk Telekom saw its four-game winning streak come to an end and slipped to 8-6.

Xabi Lopez-Arostegui led six Valencia scorers in double digits with 20 points and also added 6 boards and 5 assists. Brancou Badio, Jaime Pradilla, Chris Jones and Semi Ojeleye followed with 12 points apiece, while Nate Sestina poured in 10 against his former club. Sergio De Larrea stood close to a double-double with 9 points and a career-high 9 assists for a PIR of 21, also a career-high. Berkan Durmaz paced Turk Telekom with 16 points and 6 boards, Yoan Makoundou also scored 16, while Anthony Brown contributed 14 points in the losing effort.

Durmaz became the main offensive weapon for Turk Telekom in the early going, scoring 6 of the visitors’ first 10. Valencia needed some time to adjust, especially from the outside, but when the rotations started, the hosts seemed much more comfortable. Ojeleye was the first one to hit from downtown and Lopez-Arostegui followed with another of his own to tie it at 10-10. The latter scored two more baskets and later fed Pradilla for a triple to boost a 12-0 run that made it 22-12 after 7 minutes. Turk Telekom didn’t panic, though, and used its two first triples of the game to reach the end of the first period trailing 26-21, after Speedy Smith beat the buzzer from downtown.

Sestina and Jones avoided further problems with timely triples early in the second quarter, as Pradilla restored a double-digit lead for the hosts, 38-25 after a nice move inside and a strong dunk off a Chris Jones assist. The run didn’t stop there, as Jones scored on the fastbreak, and Josep Puerto converted an offensive rebound to cap a 10-0 run and build a 41-25 advantage. Turk Telekom found some energy coming from Melih Tunca, but Lopez-Arostegui quickly aborted the rally with 5 points in a row that recovered a safe margin, 48-32. The visitors’ timeout didn’t work as expected, as the difference grew to 52-34 at halftime.

Brown’s first field goal of the night seemed to give some hope to Turk Telekom, which also found Tunca and Makoundou on offense to reduce the gap to 59-46 right after the game resumed. Jones decided to take over to avoid further problems and nailed a three and a short jumper to cool it down, 67-51, right before a TV timeout. Lopez-Arostegui dug deeper from the line soon after, and a long three-pointer by De Larrea made it 73-51. The three-point rain didn’t stop here, as Matt Costello and Badio followed with one each. The punishment was paused at 87-58 when the third-quarter buzzer sounded.

Little changed in the last quarter as the hosts didn’t gear down and kept scoring on almost every possession. Ojeleye helped his team to move past the 30-point margin with a circus shot that turned into a three-point play, 90-58, and Brimah got it to 40 points, 100-60, from the line with 7 minutes remaining. With the outcome in no doubt, the last questions to be answered were which records Valencia was going to break. Reuvers scored the 110th point to make it the best scoring night in club history and the final difference (38 points) became the second-biggest in Valencia’s history as well.

The hosts bettered their previous scoring record of 109 points