The Spanish side underlined its title credentials with another dominant display
Valencia cruises past Cluj, 98-74, and into last four
Game Report
3 Mins read
Valencia Basket held its home court in emphatic fashion for a 98-74 victory over UB-T Cluj Napoca, sending the Spanish team into a semifinal meeting with Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv.
Valencia quickly found its offensive rhythm to take a double-digit first-quarter lead, and raced into a 53-36 advantage by halftime. Cluj fought but never got within single digits, as the host cruised to a victory that was safe long before the final buzzer.
Chris Jones orchestrated Valencia with 14 points and 9 assists, while Semi Ojeleye added 13 and Jean Montero netted 12, with Matt Costello and Xabi Lopez-Arostegui both scoring 10. Zavier Simpson led Cluj with 12 points and 10 assists, while Zach Hankins also had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds, Adam Mokoka netted 12, and Gediminas Orelik and Karel Guzman both scored 11.
Game Videos
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Valencia Basket-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Quarterfinals Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:48
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/03/12/yRogwwH6AvnfT2chotuU6ZWmCPYAp3ga-1741816120824.jpg]()
Chris Jones: 'We played hard'
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/6d24455a-82ae-41bf-824b-ca9707ea36e6.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A250%3A55]()
Lopez-Arostegui turns on the style! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/d952c147-2e4d-479b-a520-ba8b5e5b04e9.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A55%3A41]()
Ojeleye says no! Magic Moment
- 01:53
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/03/04/AXxM86Uate29BmruUQujlATDlT87R8Ta-1741119649563.jpg]()
Zavier Simpson: 'It was crazy!'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/be601c94-1b13-4b11-a455-4f1b584d9947.jpg]()
Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Eighthfinals Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/055f73db-6dab-4f97-88cf-404b81c247b7.jpg?crop=1246%3A701%3Anowe%3A52%3A53]()
Stephens's alley-oop dunk! Magic Moment
- 00:08
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/92816f3f-c316-4c82-a8ac-6c6ffa0694bd.jpg?crop=1310%3A737%3Anowe%3A10%3A37]()
Stephens attacks the rim! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b377d9de-c109-424b-87f1-3caafa6f0557.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse | Round 18 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/bbd73d77-ca78-4157-973c-c5ec99dd38e6.jpg?crop=1140%3A641%3Anowe%3A122%3A91]()
De Larrea to Reuvers alley-oop! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c11bce19-a32f-4b67-9741-4be53fe450d9.jpg]()
Aris Midea Thessaloniki-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 18 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/GJsnDy3lASk/maxresdefault.jpg]()
7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 17 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:25
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/314dfc99-6bba-4873-9e85-4578020f92a8.jpg?crop=1136%3A639%3Anowe%3A184%3A90]()
What an assist by Mokoka! Magic Moment
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2183c7a3-9f3c-4105-acd0-089253215742.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A167%3A25]()
Mokoka swats Stenionis! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/86037ca4-6c47-40c6-99cf-78ea980b43ec.jpg]()
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana-Valencia Basket | Round 17 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:18
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5f73e856-8fb8-4192-9c5d-6b989a8b18a1.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A129%3A164]()
Brimah blocks twice! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c221ebde-ce89-4560-9d2c-5ade2109832b.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-Aris Midea Thessaloniki | Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5f73e856-8fb8-4192-9c5d-6b989a8b18a1.jpg?crop=1178%3A663%3Anowe%3A86%3A91]()
Brimah throws down the alley-oop! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/57ba786e-4e6d-409a-a07c-c679b9164a81.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Turk Telekom Ankara | Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/cd5bc455-e41a-4367-a103-92808b23f8f3.jpg?crop=1288%3A724%3Anowe%3A31%3A30]()
Lovely team baseline move by Cluj! Magic Moment
- 01:35
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/01/15/9XVmxJV9qM32zWhKFpWXii6IpjHSKps6-1736979338433.jpg]()
Nigel Hayes-Davis: 'We took a better step forward offensively'
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/0HL4o4KSspo/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade-Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | RS Round 21 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/r_IM8-CGA2U/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Umana Reyer Venice-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/05ff8965-56a0-42c2-ac7f-457f2bf26508.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A135%3A118]()
Salin creates a fastbreak from the floor! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a88fc0b9-9773-40b6-849e-f8112d5d7b26.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A167%3A39]()
Zimpson dances and scores! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/c6QfrrYsdg8/maxresdefault.jpg]()
7-Bet Lietkabelis Panevezys-Valencia Basket | Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/50f09d04-1919-4373-adde-133bd053cbcb.jpg?crop=1240%3A697%3Anowe%3A24%3A19]()
Costello finds Pradilla! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c5c4946d-f4ae-4bdc-8dc0-09a52372ac70.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem | Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/292b724d-953f-4590-a792-ede9d1eebb00.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A106%3A41]()
Stephens posterizes Smith! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/9a30bae0-1be5-4874-8cf1-8a1dd5c187bc.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-Turk Telekom Ankara | Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/98408a91-f610-44ad-81db-6c35693787f1.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A74%3A77]()
Pradilla's magic pass to Costello!! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/bc26db2f-add0-4b57-a950-f68389145387.jpg?crop=1246%3A700%3Anowe%3A74%3A57]()
De Larrea makes magic to beat the clock! Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a7e00ef5-1e0b-4c26-9065-779189fc2dbc.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A39%3A144]()
Badio dunks on a lightning fastbreak Magic Moment
- 00:35
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/01/03/VeqxBSjYkLltGasXC4tfAOifP5cPOKoH-1735939361522.jpg]()
Mokoka takes off for the massive dunk! Magic Moment of the Night
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Y9kg3RC5GC0/maxresdefault.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Veolia Towers Hamburg | Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/bb684647-7ca2-4db3-bacb-d87a9aaaf699.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A173%3A146]()
Mokoka takes off for the massive dunk! Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2e41e3d1-0b0e-439b-98c4-eb7a4a38913a.jpg?crop=1004%3A565%3Anowe%3A269%3A78]()
Hankins finds Mejeris for the slam! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/d14b864e-5462-45e6-94e8-c87b9bed0da5.jpg]()
Umana Reyer Venice-Valencia Basket | Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5a98e545-7ea1-4e12-a3d7-9937f1a1e5a6.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A65%3A124]()
De Larrea to Brimah alley-oop! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Bt3SoMaLDc4/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2e282d57-84d2-4349-9df0-5787d2feb05b.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A126%3A123]()
Brimah's alley-oop dunk! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/da540dff-7fcd-4b28-99ae-3edac2f31ed5.jpg?crop=1209%3A679%3Anowe%3A85%3A97]()
Simpson's circus shot! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Jji9axLj4fs/maxresdefault.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse | Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:28
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/ce750352-36a6-4eaf-a17d-105f866432fe.jpg?crop=1191%3A670%3Anowe%3A103%3A62]()
Seeley's three to take the lead for good! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/40a8fb17-a93a-470d-bbf2-ba8aeb7bcd48.jpg?crop=1271%3A715%3Anowe%3A0%3A68]()
An open lane for Guzman's dunk! Magic Moment
- 00:30
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/049e436b-d82f-40d6-b6ab-f0f547d742e7.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A83%3A172]()
Big hustle, big dunk! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/-DYE7B6b7yM/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Veolia Towers Hamburg-Valencia Basket | Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/3766187c-ebef-4575-a3d8-b5da478e3408.jpg?crop=856%3A481%3Anowe%3A475%3A32]()
Brimah swats Turudic! Magic Moment
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/62847319-c58f-4da0-8314-10c2b4b8d9b8.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A97%3A62]()
Pradilla with the slick pass! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/0Tz_Dl72DC0/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem | Round 10 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
Simpson’s layup was bettered by Brancou Badio’s triple in the opening possessions. Guzman also struck from deep before Jaime Pradilla and Badio kept the three-point party going. Hankins and Jones traded inside buckets for a 15-7 Valencia lead, and Lopez-Arostegui kept the host moving with a corner three. Montero’s jumper made it a double-digit game, before Costello’s three and Josep Puerto’s putback gave Valencia a 30-15 lead at the end of the first.
Ojeleye’s triple started the second quarter, and an inside score by Hankins was bettered by another Ojeleye triple to make it 38-17. DJ Seeley lifted Cluj with a pair of deep strikes, but Lopez-Arostegui and Nate Sestina protected a comfortable lead. Orelik and Sasu Salin added threeballs as Cluj rallied to 47-31, only for Sestina to hit another Valencia triple followed by a layup-and-one from Jones. Guzman’s close-range finish and Mokoka’s three-pointer made it closer at the half, 53-36.
Cluj further narrowed the gap early in the third, with Guzman, Hankins and Mokoka all scoring from close range to make it 55-42. But Valencia responded with a dunk from Nate Reuvers and a three from Jones, as Cluj went three minutes without scoring. Simpson’s smooth hook shot was bettered by Montero’s three-pointer, and further triples from Mokoka and Montero made it 70-52 with 10 minutes left.
Orelik’s triple to open the fourth quarter gave Cluj hope, but Ojeleye’s inside score settled the host. Another Mokoka triple was followed by Pradilla’s dunk, making it 74-58. Simpson’s driving layup was followed by Ojeleye’s three-pointer, and the long bombs continued from Costello, Seeley and Orelik, pulling Cluj back to 80-68. Costello’s layup and Jones’s long two made sure Cluj didn’t get closer, and a Costello putback was followed by Montero’s three-point play to ensure a big winning margin.
