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

Valencia blew things open in rock-solid first half

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

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

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

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

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

Ojeleye leads Valencia past Turk Telekom

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

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

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

Game News

Pedro Martinez's men were too good for Turk Telekom
 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Game Videos

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Valencia routs Turk Telekom, 87-101

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

Game Center: Round 5 continues with five games tonight!

## Wednesday, October 23

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

## Tuesday, October 22

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Game Center: Trento stuns Hapoel; four road winners elsewhere

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

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

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

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

Umana Reyer Venice v Veolia Towers Hamburg (2024-10-22T18:00:00.000Z)

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

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul v Joventut Badalona (2024-10-22T17:00:00.000Z)

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

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

'Captain Hook' Zavier Simpson embraces the Cluj challenge

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

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

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

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

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

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

With its back against the wall, 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys produced its finest performance of the season to down JL Bourg en Bresse, 84-80, at Kalnapilio Arena. 

Lietkabelis demonstrated why it shouldn’t be underestimated

Coming into Round 5 of the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup season as one of the three teams yet to celebrate a victory, 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys felt the pressure of having to deliver on the court against 2023-34 runner-up Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse. The visitors were undefeated, having won their first four games in their bid to push for another run deep into the playoffs.

Being cautious despite Lietkabelis's 0-4 record ahead of the game, Bourg head coach Frederic Fauthoux warned his players that it wouldn’t be an easy outing away in Lithuania.

“We had this information \[of Lietkabelis’s record\], but we said ‘let’s be careful because they are a great team, they play well together and the two last two seasons we lost here,” Fauthoux said in the post-game press conference. “So, it’s not a good gym for us and we lost again.”

With its back against the wall, Lietkabelis produced its finest performance of the season to down Bourg, 84-80, at Kalnapilio Arena.

“It was a tough situation for us, \[coming into the game with a\] 0-4 \[record\] and I think that we showed character and we played a good game,” Lietkabelis head coach Nenad Canak told EuroLeague TV after the duel. “The most important thing is that we won and we're starting to get out of this hole and we proved to ourselves that we can play at that level.”

Lietkabelis looked solid from the off and didn’t allow Bourg to pull away in the first quarter. The hosts tightened their defense in the second and limited the French side to 16 points, taking a 39-36 lead into the second half. After a balanced third quarter, Lietkabelis responded to a 0-6 run in the fourth by grabbing a 75-64 lead with 3:32 left on the clock. Then, Bourg showed what it’s made of and a late 1-10 surge brought the visitors back into the game, 78-77. Yet, a buzzer-beating dagger with 0:23 to go from Marko Pecarski, who ended the game with 22 points on 9-for-9 shooting from the field, allowed Lietkabelis to clinch the victory.

Stats sometimes speak for themselves. Only one team averaged fewer points (71.5) and no EuroCup side recorded a lower three-point percentage (18.8%) than Lietkabelis coming into Tuesday’s game. The Lithuanian side didn’t score more than 74 points in any of its first four games, but produced 84 points and was a solid 8-for-21 (38.1%) from beyond the arc to beat Bourg.

“It was a great fight for the whole game,” Pecarski told EuroLeague TV. “I said before the game that without full energy and without our shooting we were unlucky in some of the last games. Today, I think everything came together. It is a long season. This team has a lot of potential and I think we showed today what we are capable of.”

After a poor start to the season, Tuesday’s victory over Bourg could serve as the springboard to turn over a new leaf. 

“Very important win for us after that very bad period,” Canak said. “I hope it’s behind us. We showed that we can play defense on that level and be competitive with those great teams in our competition.”

As Canak and Pecarski stressed, Lietkabelis proved to both itself and the rest of the teams what this team is made of with a statement win over Bourg. More importantly, though, it has demonstrated that no EuroCup team should be underestimated despite a run of poor results. Lietkabelis also sent a message to its next opponent, EuroCup powerhouse Valencia Basket. If the Spanish side doesn’t receive it, a second straight upset shouldn’t be ruled out next week. 

Despite coming into the game winless, the Lithuanian club upended previously undefeated Bourg

Caring for the ball better paid off for Wolves

Rallying from a 13-point deficit early in the third quarter, [Trefl Sopot ](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/trefl-sopot/games/tso/)managed to force overtime in its game against visiting[ Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius/games/wol/) on Tuesday night. Despite having 4 players with 4 fouls, Soport managed to hold its opponent scoreless in the last 3 minutes of the game and tie it 84-84 to feel closer than ever to its first win of the season and the first in the BKT EuroCup in 12 years.

“I’m really happy about the first half we had, but we struggled against their physicality in the second half,” Wolves head coach Alessandro Magro recognized during the press conference. “It is something that we have to talk about. We helped them, by doing turnovers, come back in the game.”

The fact is that the game saw 38 turnovers between the two teams combined, with the home side losing 20 possessions and the visiting side wasting 18 offenses because of not taking care of the ball.

But, when the overtime came, the visiting team knew how to handle itself. “We stayed united even when they scored the last shots to go to overtime” Magro stated. “And even in that point we kept doing what we were supposed to do, \[which is\] to play tough defense, to play together, to help each other and to share the ball, so I’m really happy about this game”.

That solid approach paid off for his team, as it didn’t turn the ball over for the entire overtime, while Trefl Sopot had 3 in the first 2 minutes that turned into 8 points for the winners. First, an offensive foul called on [Andy Van Vliet](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andy-van-vliet/003885/) was followed by a huge three by [Andrew Andrews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-andrews/011248/) to open the extra period. Next, a [Matas Jogela](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/matas-jogela/006853/) steal ended up opening the door for a monster put-back dunk by [Tre'Shawn Thurman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tre-shawn-thurman/012577/), and last, another by [Geoffrey Groselle](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/geoffrey-groselle/013296/) was the prelude of another bomb by Andrews that capped a 0-10 run to start the overtime and finish the game.

Overall, Wolves converted 31 points from Sopot’s 23 turnovers, while Sopot had 26 points off Wolves’ lost possessions. And, in a game that was decided by little details and with a difference of only 7 points, taking care of the ball better in the end proved crucial.

The Lithuanian team had no turnovers in overtime to resist Sopot's rally

Dreamland Gran Canaria did not find much trouble to beat ratiopharm Ulm 125-78 at home in Round 5. It also set a record that stood there for over 20 years. 


Gran Canaria's record-breaking night 

Dreamland Gran Canaria did not find much trouble in beating ratiopharm Ulm 125-78 at home in Round 5. It also set a record that stood for over 20 years.

Gran Canaria scored the most points ever in a non-overtime game, 125. Adecco Estudiantes held the previous record with a [121-76 home win over Generalu Group Trieste on November 5, 2002](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2002-03/adecco-estudiantes-madrid-generali-group-trieste/U2002/45/). It was Round 4 of the EuroCup's inaugural season, and the record was there for almost 22 years.

Gran Canaria did everything right in the first half, scoring 68 points to tie a club record. It had only reached the 68-point mark in a first half once before in 251 BKT EuroCup games. On February 1, 2023, Gran Canaria led 68-49 at halftime on its way to a [118-99 victory over Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/gran-canaria-paris-basketball/U2022/129/).

Miquel Salvo of Dreamland Gran Canaria had a personal-best 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 6 fouls drawn and a career-high PIR of 32 in his team's 125-78 home win over ratiopharm Ulm in Round 5 of the BKT EuroCup Regular Season (Group A).

Salvo led Gran Canaria past Ulm

It was the biggest margin ever achieved by Gran Canaria in any half of a EuroCup game. Its previous record was a 29-point difference when it built a 21-50 lead against [Superfund Bulls Kapfenberg on December 3, 2003](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2003-04/superfund-kapfenberg-auna-gran-canaria/U2003/59/). It ended up winning 57-94 behind 17 points from Kirk Penney.

The hosts had seven players with at least 7 points in that half, with [Nico Brussino](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nicolas-brussino/008121/) and [Miquel Salvo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/miquel-salvo/005005/) leading the way with 9 points apiece. Gran Canaria shot the ball with great accuracy, downing 15 of 21 two-pointers (71.4%), 9 of 16 three-pointers (56.3%) and 11 of 13 free throws. It also had 18 assists before the break with just 4 turnovers.

Gran Canaria had 10 players with at least 1 assist before halftime. On the other hand, Ulm had 10 first-half turnovers and was outrebounded 19-10. Gran Canaria's first-half PIR was 94, which says it all.

Gran Canaria finished the game with a PIR of 170, which is the second-biggest mark in competition history. Joventut Badalona, its Round 6 opponent, holds the record with a team PIR of 173 in a [116-53 home win over Guildford Heat on December 18, 2007](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2007-08/dkv-joventut-badalona-guildford-heat/U2007/164/). The hosts also tied a record, as 10 of its players scored at least one three-pointer. Only Valencia Basket managed to do that in the past, also against[ Ulm (103-71) on April 5, 2022](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2021-22/valencia-basket-ratiopharm-ulm/U2021/176/). Salvo took center stage with an all-around great game: a personal-best 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 6 fouls drawn and a career-high PIR of 32.

When the dust settled, Gran Canaria had 32 assists, a new club record and a EuroCup season-high. The hosts kept shooting the ball with excellent accuracy (68.2% 2FG, 53.8% 3FG, 85.2% FT) and ended up outrebounding Gran Canaria 36-24.

A huge first half set the tone for an impressive overall haul 

All about Gran Canaria's record-breaking night 

Dreamland Gran Canaria left no doubt about its power by thrashing ratiopharm Ulm 125-78 at home in Round 5 on Tuesday. 


Gran Canaria overwhelms Ulm, 125-78! 

Dreamland Gran Canaria left no doubt about its power by thrashing ratiopharm Ulm 125-78 at home in Round 5 on Tuesday. Gran Canaria improved to 4-1 in A while Ulm dropped to 3-2. 

Miquel Salvo led the winners with 20 points. Jovan Kljajic, Nico Brussino and Caleb Homesley each scored 13 while George Conditt and Jakub Urbaniak had 11 apiece for Gran Canaria. Noa Essengue paced Ulm with 20 points. Alfonso Plummer added 18 and Justinian Jessup 10 for the visitors.

Plummer got Ulm going with a three-pointer. Brussino answered from downtown and John Shurna added a jumper for a 5-3 Gran Canaria lead. Plummer insisted from beyond the arc, Mike Tobey dunked and Brussino's triple boosted the hosts' lead to 10-6. Nelson Weidemann followed a driving layup with a triple, then Tobey, Shurna and a red hot Brussino each struck from beyond the arc for a 19-11 score. Jessup erased Carlos Alocen's layup with a jumper and Conditt's three-point play made it a double-digit game, 26-14. Salvo stepped up for Gran Canaria with 6 quick points and Alocen scored off a steal and Pierre Pelos gave the hosts a 36-22 lead after 10 minutes. 

Homesley followed a jumper with a backdoor layup for a 40-22 Gran Canaria margin early in the second quarter. Urbaniak hit a jump hook and Salvo erased Alec Anigbata's triple with a layup-plus-foul. Urbaniak and Homesley each scored again to break the game open, 49-25. Plummer stepped up for Ulm and Jessup struck from downtown to get Ulm within 51-30. Joe Thomasson found his first points and Urbaniak banked in a triple, good for a 56-30 Gran Canaria lead. Tobey scored around the basket, Kljajic added a layup and a three-pointer for a 63-35 score. Thomasson hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to fix the halftime score at 68-37. 

Marcio Santos and Jessup each struck from downtown right after the break. Pelos joined the three-point shootout, Tobey and Jessup traded dunks, then Brussino restored a 75-45 Gran Canaria lead. Essengue took over with a backdoor layup and Weidemann brought Ulm a bit closer, 75-49. Essengue bettered Conditt's layup with a corner triple and soon added a layup to make the hosts call timeout at 77-54. Shurna dunked off a steal, Essengue kept pacing Ulm with a tip-in and Homesley's three-pointer restored a 84-56 Gran Canaria lead. Homesley got help from Salvo and Kljajic to give the hosts a 97-60 margin after 30 minutes.

Nico Bretzel banked in a close shot early in the fourth quarter and Weidemann added a layup for a 97-64 Ulm deficit. Pelos hit a three-pointer Urbaniak scored in the paint but Plummer kept the guests within 102-69. Alocen and Essengue each struck from downtown, then Plummer hit a jumper. Once the outcome was clear, Gran Canaria had a chance to break several EuroCup records. Tobias Jensen showcased his athleticism with a show-stopping dunk and Salvo allowed Gran Canaria to set a new all-time EuroCup record: most points in a non-overtime game, 125!

The hosts set several records with their offensive outpouring 