Basketball Champions League is at the halfway of the Regular Season and there are still another 5 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
Round 5 most important game was a defeat of league’s leader Hungarian Szombathely (2-1). They were crushed by third ranked Lithuanian Rytas (2-1) 103-83 on Wednesday night. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Szombathely. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Rytas dominated down low during the game scoring 76 of its points in the paint compared to Szombathely‘s 44. Rytas looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American point guard RJ Cole (182-1999, college: UConn) stepped up and scored 19 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners and Armenian-American center Steven Enoch (208-1997, college: Louisville) chipped in 18 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Rytas’ coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Zoltan Perl (195-1995) responded with 23 points. Defending Lithuanian champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 9 other teams including defeated Szombathely. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of Latvian VEF Riga (1-2) at the home court. Hosts were defeated by Greek AEK Betsson (2-1) 80-69. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Lithuanian Mindaugas Kuzminskas (205-1989) nailed 19 points for the winning side and Hunter Hale accounted for 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Ukrainian point guard Issuf Sanon (194-1999) came up with 17 points, 5 assists and 6 steals for VEF Riga in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. AEK Betsson keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 9 other teams. Defending Latvian champion VEF Riga dropped to the second place with two games lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Quite upsetting was Israeli M.Ramat Gan‘s home defeat in a game versus German Bonn 86-78. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was Phlandrous Fleming Jr who scored 22 points and 9 rebounds. Amin Stevens produced 23 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Ramat Gan’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Bonn (2-1) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 9 other teams. M.Ramat Gan at the other side dropped to the second place with two games lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 5: Tortona won against Benfica on the opponent’s court 72-58. Saint Quentin lost to undefeated Tenerife in a home game 61-71. Reggio Emilia managed to beat Slask on the road 73-65. Winless Kolossos HH was defeated by Pinar Karsiyaka on its own court 59-71. Chemnitz was smashed by Manresa in a road game 105-59.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 30 points by Derrick Alston Jr of Manresa.
Benfica – Tortona 58-72
Rather expected game in Lisbon where 4th placed Portuguese Benfica (0-3) was defeated by leader Italian Tortona (3-0) 72-58 on Tuesday. Tortona looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Christian Vital (188-1997, college: UConn) who scored 17 points and 4 assists. French center Ismael Kamagate (211-2001) chipped in 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. American Tyler Stone (203-1991, college: SEMO) produced 9 points and 5 rebounds and Chilean-American power forward Nicolas Carvacho (211-1997, college: Colorado St.) added 7 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Tortona have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 3-0 record, which they share with 5 other teams. Defending Portuguese champion Benfica still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with 5 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tortona: C.Vital 17+4reb+4ast, I.Kamagate 11+8reb+4ast, K.Weems 10+4reb+3ast, J.Gorham 9+4reb+1ast, L.Candi 6+2reb, D.Denegri 5+3reb+4ast
Benfica: J.Barbosa 12+1reb, T.Stone 9+5reb+1ast, E.Francisco 8+6reb, B.Gomes 8+1reb+1ast, N.Carvacho 7+6reb+2ast, T.Drechsel 5+5reb+4ast
gschID: 1209407
VEF Riga – AEK Betsson 69-80
The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of Latvian VEF Riga (1-2) at the home court. Hosts were defeated by Greek AEK Betsson (2-1) 80-69. It was a key game for the top position in the league. AEK Betsson made 26-of-29 charity shots (89.7 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 VEF Riga turnovers. VEF Riga was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Lithuanian Mindaugas Kuzminskas (205-1989) nailed 19 points for the winning side and American guard Hunter Hale (192-1997, college: Winthrop) accounted for 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Four AEK Betsson players scored in double figures. Ukrainian point guard Issuf Sanon (194-1999) came up with 17 points, 5 assists and 6 steals and American point guard Harrison Cleary (185-1997, college: UMC) added 19 points and 5 assists respectively for VEF Riga in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. AEK Betsson keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 9 other teams. Defending Latvian champion VEF Riga dropped to the second place with two games lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
AEK Betsson: M.Kuzminskas 19+4reb+1ast, G.Golden 14+6reb, H.Hale 13+5reb+4ast, O.Netzipoglou 10+2reb+1ast, N.Alleyne 5, C.Bryce 5+4reb+3ast
VEF Riga: H.Cleary 19+1reb+5ast, I.Sanon 17+4reb+5ast, J.Lawrence 10+4reb, V.Bobrov 9+7reb+1ast, R.Andronikashvili 6+2reb+2ast, M.Gulbis 4+1reb+1ast
gschID: 1209408
Rytas – Szombathely 103-83
Round 5 most important game was a defeat of league’s leader Hungarian Szombathely (2-1). They were crushed by third ranked Lithuanian Rytas (2-1) 103-83 on Wednesday night. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Szombathely. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Rytas dominated down low during the game scoring 76 of its points in the paint compared to Szombathely‘s 44. Rytas looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American point guard RJ Cole (182-1999, college: UConn) stepped up and scored 19 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners and Armenian-American center Steven Enoch (208-1997, college: Louisville) chipped in 18 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Rytas’ coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Zoltan Perl (195-1995) responded with 23 points and Bosnian-Serbian power forward Nikola Popovic (211-1997, college: Boston Coll.) scored 12 points and 8 rebounds. Five Rytas and four Szombathely players scored in double figures. Defending Lithuanian champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 9 other teams including defeated Szombathely. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Rytas: R.Cole 19+5reb+8ast, S.Enoch 18+6reb, J.Graves 15+3reb+3ast, S.Flagg 12+3reb+2ast, A.Tubelis 10+7reb, M.Normantas 7+1reb+4ast
Szombathely: Z.Perl 23+3reb, M.Tiby 14+4reb+3ast, N.Popovic 12+8reb+3ast, T.Diggs 11, B.Varadi 11+5reb+2ast, M.Pongo 7+3reb+3ast
gschID: 1209409
Saint Quentin – Tenerife 61-71
Rather predictable result when leader Spanish Tenerife (3-0) defeated on the road 3rd placed French Saint-Quentin (1-2) 71-61 on Tuesday. Tenerife looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Tim Abromaitis (203-1989, college: Notre Dame) who scored 17 points. Brazilian-Italian point guard Marcelinho Huertas (191-1983) chipped in 9 points and 6 assists. Tenerife’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Polish center Dominik Olejniczak (213-1996, college: FSU) produced a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) and American Jerome Robinson (197-1997, college: Boston Coll.) added 21 points respectively for the hosts. Tenerife have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 3-0 record, which they share with 5 other teams. Saint Quentin at the other side dropped to the second position with two games lost. They share it with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tenerife: T.Abromaitis 17+4reb+2ast, I.Diop 10+3reb, M.Huertas 9+3reb+6ast, B.Fitipaldo 8+2reb+5ast, F.Guerra 8+2reb+2ast, J.Sastre 7+2reb+2ast
Saint Quentin: D.Olejniczak 21+10reb+2ast, J.Robinson 21+4reb+3ast, N.Traore 7+1reb+4ast, M.Santos-Silva 4+5reb, E.Goudou-Sinha 4+2reb+2ast, L.Boucaud 2+2ast
gschID: 1209410
M.Ramat Gan – Bonn 78-86
Quite upsetting was Israeli M.Ramat Gan‘s home defeat in a game versus German Bonn 86-78. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was guard Phlandrous Fleming Jr (193-1998, college: Florida) who scored 22 points and 9 rebounds. Point guard Darius McGhee (175-1999, college: Liberty) chipped in 23 points and 5 assists. Four Telekom Baskets players scored in double figures. Forward Amin Stevens (203-1990, college: FAMU) produced 23 points and 7 rebounds and point guard Kendale McCullum (184-1996, college: Lewis) added 10 points and 7 assists respectively for the hosts. Ramat Gan’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Bonn (2-1) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 9 other teams. M.Ramat Gan at the other side dropped to the second place with two games lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Bonn: D.McGhee 23+3reb+5ast, P.Fleming Jr. 22+9reb+2ast, T.Pape 13+4reb, T.Kennedy 10+8reb+2ast, R.Soares 9+5reb+2ast, A.Allegri 5+7reb+2ast
M.Ramat Gan: A.Stevens 23+7reb+1ast, A.Ariel 17+3reb, K.McCullum 10+3reb+7ast, R.Gallinat 8+4reb+2ast, I.Miles 6+5reb, R.Huber 5+1reb+9ast
gschID: 1209411
Slask – Reggio Emilia 65-73
Not a big story in a game in Wroclaw where 4th placed Polish WKS Slask (0-3) was defeated by second ranked Italian Reggio Emilia (2-1) 73-65 on Tuesday. Reggio Emilia made 19-of-21 free shots (90.5 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Slask turnovers. The best player for the winners was American point guard Cassius Winston (185-1997, college: Michigan St.) who scored 16 points and 5 assists. His fellow American import guard Jamar Smith (191-1987, college: S.Indiana, agency: Inception Sports) chipped in 13 points. Swingman Daniel Golebiowski (195-1998) produced 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and American-Dominican Angel Nunez (203-1992, college: S.Florida) added 13 points respectively for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Reggio Emilia keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 9 other teams. Loser WKS Slask still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with 5 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Reggio Emilia: C.Winston 16+3reb+5ast, J.Smith 13+2reb+3ast, S.Gombauld 12+5reb, M.Faye 8+5reb+1ast, J.Barford 7+6reb+1ast, K.Cheatham Jr. 6+4reb+1ast
Slask: A.Nunez 13+2reb+3ast, D.Golebiowski 13+7reb+5ast, A.Penava 11+1ast, K.Blackshear 8+4reb+1ast, M.Ponitka 7+3reb+5ast, A.Bogucki 4+3reb
gschID: 1209412
Kolossos HH – Pinar Karsiyaka 59-71
Everything went according to plan in Rodou where second ranked Turkish Pinar Karsiyaka (2-1) beat 4th placed Greek Kolossos HH (0-3) 71-59 on Wednesday. Pinar Karsiyaka dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Kolossos HH‘s 22. The best player for the winners was American guard Errick McCollum (188-1988, college: Goshen) who scored 21 points and 5 rebounds. French center Jerry Boutsiele (207-1992) chipped in 13 points and 8 rebounds. Four Pinar Karsiyaka players scored in double figures. American guard London Perrantes (187-1994, college: Virginia) produced 11 points and 7 assists and Nigerian-American power forward Francis Okoro (204-1999, college: St.Louis) added 6 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Pinar Karsiyaka keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 9 other teams. Loser Kolossos HH still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with 5 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Pinar Karsiyaka: E.McCollum 21+5reb+2ast, J.Boutsiele 13+8reb, M.Yasar 10+3reb, D.Russell 10+1reb+2ast, J.Webb III 6+7reb+2ast, D.Jefferson 6+3reb+2ast
Kolossos HH: L.Perrantes 11+2reb+7ast, P.Danusevicius 10+3reb, T.Nelson 9+2reb+1ast, A.Toney 7+3reb, F.Okoro 6+8reb, A.Petropoulos 5+2reb
gschID: 1209413
Manresa – Chemnitz 105-59
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both third ranked Spanish BAXI Manresa and second-ranked German Chemnitz had identical 1-1 record. This time BAXI Manresa used a home court advantage and outplayed the opponent from Chemnitz 105-59 on Wednesday night. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Manresa made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. They also forced 27 Chemnitz turnovers. Manresa shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 63.6 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American Derrick Alston Jr (206-1997, college: Boise St.) who scored 30 points (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). Belgian-Nigerian guard Retin Obasohan (191-1993, college: Alabama) chipped in 15 points. American guard DeAndre Lansdowne (188-1989, college: Fort Lewis) produced 15 points and the other American import guard William Christmas (196-1996, college: CPP) added 11 points and 4 assists respectively for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Manresa (2-1) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 9 other teams. Loser Chemnitz keeps the second place with two games lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Manresa: D.Alston Jr. 30+4reb+1ast, R.Obasohan 15+3reb+2ast, C.Hunt 12+4reb+3ast, M.Steinbergs 10+1reb, A.Reyes 7+2reb, M.Saint-Supery 6+3reb+7ast
Chemnitz: D.Lansdowne 15+2ast, W.Christmas 11+2reb+4ast, J.Garrett 7+6reb, A.Uguak 7+4reb+2ast, O.Nkamhoua 6+3reb+2ast, E.Edigin 5+2reb
gschID: 1209414
