Joventut defeated Besiktas away with a score of 85-81, securing their second consecutive win in the EuroCup.
The team from Badalona arrived in Istanbul determined to avenge the defeat to the Black Eagles at the beginning of the season in Catalonia. They didn’t immediately establish a lead but gradually increased their advantage with aggressive defense quarter by quarter.
The home team showed signs of both physical and mental fatigue after a significant victory against Fenerbahce in the Turkish league, and that could be considered a factor in Besiktas’ failure.
As time passed, Joventut grew more confident, establishing a double-digit lead. Just when it seemed they would decisively break the game, the home team, fueled by Jonah Matthews, narrowed the gap to just three points. They had a chance to come within one point, but Egehan Arna missed both free throws.
The game then entered a nail-biting finish where Pau Ribas ultimately decided the outcome.
Andres Feliz scored 21 points for Joventut, while Matthews shone for the home team with 28 points.
Paris continued their dominant performances in Group A. They showed no mercy against Wolves, defeating them 110-79 on the road, securing a 9-1 record and maintaining the top position.
T. J. Shorts and Nadir Hifi were the top scorers for the winners, each contributing 24 points. Adas Juskevicius led the home team with nine points.
Cedevita Olimpija’s EuroCup Agony: Tenth Game, Tenth Defeat
The continuation brought a dose of suspense as Cedevita Olimpija, with a 9-0 run at one point, managed to erase the deficit and take a lead of 54-53. Just when it seemed they would establish control over the game, they experienced another drop in performance, and Hapoel Tel Aviv capitalized on it, leading by a double-digit margin heading into the decisive quarter, 69-59.
In the fourth period, there was a barrage of shots from both sides, but Cedevita Olimpija couldn’t defend well. As a result, they didn’t find themselves in a position to seriously threaten, making it clear that they would suffer their tenth defeat in the EuroCup. Thus, they remain the only team without a win in the second-tier European competition.
The top scorer in the winning team was Braian Angola with 15 points and five rebounds, while in the losing team, Jaka Blazic outperformed his teammates with 21 points and eight rebounds. Karlo Matkovic contributed with 17 points.
In the next round of the EuroCup, Cedevita Olimpija will visit Joventut, while Hapoel Tel Aviv will face BC Wolves.
Buducnost outplayed Lietkabelis
Buducnost secured a valuable win in the tenth round of the EuroCup. The team from Podgorica defeated Lietkabelis, coached by Nenad Canak, with a score of 83:81.
At the start of the game, defenses were solid on both sides. Lietkabelis took a six-point lead at one point. After the first quarter, the home team led 21:18.
In the second quarter, the guests played with more energy. They managed to turn the game around at the beginning of the second period. The teams then took turns leading. In the closing moments of the first half, Buducnost showcased better performance. The team from Podgorica went into halftime with a two-point advantage.
At the start of the second half, Lietkabelis made a 6:0 run to take the lead. By the end of the third quarter, Podgorica’s team responded. With an excellent offensive performance, Buducnost made a comeback and gained a seven-point lead.
Lietkabelis didn’t give up. The home team managed to come back and reduce the deficit to just one point. The guests had a ready answer. With a three-pointer from Marvin Jones and five consecutive points from Yogi Ferrell, Podgorica’s team secured the win.
Jones led his team to win with 18 points, while Gediminas Orelik and Deividas Sirvydis led the home team with 21 points each. Both teams now have four wins and six losses. Podgorica will host Turk Telekom, while Lietkabelis travels to face Aris.
Yogi Ferrell wins the game for Buducnost in Panevezys with two consecutive triples! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/sT59XLFgMd
— Basketball Sphere (EN) (@BSphere_) December 6, 2023