EuroView: Broekhoff and Dillon impress in victories

Ryan Broekhoff hit four three-pointers to help Lokomotiv Kuban to a 71-67 win over Kalev/Cramo in the VTB United League.

The fourteenth-ranked Estonian visitors proved to be an unexpected challenge for the in-form Lokomotiv. The visitors led for the majority of the match, including by 1 point heading into the final quarter before Lokomotiv did what they needed to secure the win. It was one of those games where a good team has a very average day against an average team and grinds out the victory anyway. Broekhoff hit almost half of Lokomotiv's total three-pointers (9), as the swingman was only 4/12 from the field but 4/8 from behind the arc on his way to an equal team-high 14 points. He also had an impact all over the court, with 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 turnovers in a complete performance. Broekhoff's rebounding enabled Lokomotiv extra possessions, which they needed badly to make up for their poor free-throw (12/24) and field-goal shooting (37%). Lokomotiv remains in third spot on the league table with an 18-6 record.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QocQUtjNViE

Daniel Dillon was amongst everything for PGE Turow in their 91-83 victory over Asseco Gdynia in Poland. Dillon totalled 14 points (5/12 FG), 8 rebounds and 8 assists, only to be outdone by teammate Kirk Archibeque who scored 24 points with 13 rebounds. The dynamic Aussie guard had a very good week, backing up with 20 points (6/15 FG), 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 turnovers in 28 minutes as Turow secured a 99-84 victory over Slask Wroclaw. The win came about after opening up a 15-point lead in the first quarter, with Turow out classing their opponents on the glass (42-28) and with 17 offensive boards they were always going to be hard to stop. Two wins for the week sees Turow move up to eighth on the league table with a 14-12 record.

https://youtu.be/yQM4hiGXRwM

Brock Motum recorded a near double-double for BC Zalgiris Kaunas in yet another comfortable victory for the Lithuanian powerhouses. Motum played just 17 minutes as the game was looking secure at half-time. With minutes shared around and the second unit getting most of the minutes in the second half, Juventus evened out the contest and made Zalgiris work for the win. Motum would finish with 10 points (4/8 FG), 9 rebounds and 1 assist. It was the 26th win of the season for Zalgiris and they remain three wins clear of Lietuvos Rytas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uWn45T-LnA

David Andersen scored 11 points in ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne's 73-78 victory over Nanterre in the French Pro A. Andersen played just 16 minutes and contributed 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers and 2 triples in his short stint on the court. Most of ASVEL's roster saw game time with the game seemingly under control at half-time, with an 11-point lead. However, Nanterre cut the lead to 6-points heading into the final quarter and a tense final quarter followed, though ASVEL always appeared to be certain winners. ASVEL are playing with a confidence equal to their form and their fourth consecutive victory moves them up to third with 16 wins and 8 losses.

On paper it was meant to be a hotly contested battle between eighth-ranked Liege Basket and ninth-ranked VOO Verviers-Pepinster in the Belgium Scooore League. However, a formidable opening half from Liege opened up a 14-point lead at the half and as a result cruised to victory, despite 24 points from league-leading scorer Ben Madgen. Madgen converted 9/17 from the field, but failed to find his range from deep (2/7 3PT). Verviers-Pepinster couldn't create with the ball, and struggled on the boards, ultimately unable to convert their chances and allowing Liege to operate with too much freedom. Verviers-Pepinster remains in ninth with a 6-14 record.

Number one seed Buducnost were knocked out of the Adriatic League playoffs with a heartbreaking 76-75 loss to Mega Leks. Buducnost were trailing heading into the final quarter and played well enough to get so close to the win, but just not close enough. Despite a 14-20 final quarter, Mega Leks were just better in the closing moments of the game and closed out an improbable sweep. Aleks Maric showed plenty of hustle in 21 minutes, grabbing 13 rebounds, including 5 offensive, scoring 5 points (2/4 FG) and 3 assists. It was a good season for Maric, as he heads into the Boomers Olympic campaign with solid game time in his legs and good form on the board.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9yCyQM4zZ0

Dan Trist had a smaller role than he has of late, playing just 9 minutes in Oviedo's 76-85 win over Coruna in the Spanish second division (LEB Gold). This was because Trist fouled out in just 9 minutes. The big man recorded 5 fouls and was forced to spend the rest of the game watching from the sideline. It is a problem that has plagued Trist in his first season in Spain and one area he simply must improve. Trist scored 4 points in Oviedo's hot start, which saw them lead by 11 points at half time, going on to close out the victory comfortably in the fourth quarter. The win establishes a 15-11 record and a lead for fourth-ranked Oviedo over fifth-ranked Coruna.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3O3tyHYUOc

Mitch McCarron scored 6 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist in Palencia's 83-68 win over FC Barcelona II. Palencia started the game very well and played like the league-leaders should, with confidence in their ability as individuals and as a team. It was their twenty-first win of the season, as they continue to dominate the LEB Gold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRMzrbN62Zw

Trefl Sopot fell to Polfarmex KT 74-62 in a very predictable and expected result. While Trefl Sopot did display a fighting spirit, they were always held at bay by Polfarmex. Ater Majok gave his best for Trefl Sopot, with 11 points (5/8 FG), 5 rebounds and 3 turnovers in 31 minutes. Polfarmex won the game on the boards, they were completely dominant with 34 rebounds compared to Sopot's 17. The result has very little impact on Trefl Sopot's standing in the league as they sit one game clear of bottom-ranked Start Lublin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46_nZ6OpE7M

Still in Poland, Cameron Gliddon played 14 minutes off the bench for 3 points and 3 rebounds in AZS Koszalin's 73-53 loss to tenth-ranked MKS DG.

Chris Goulding is having a tough start to his career in Italy, scoring 2 points with 1 rebound in Auxilium Torino's 71-69 win over Dolmoti Energia Trento. Through four games Goulding has totalled 9 points (25% FG), 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

Brad Newley failed to find any court time for Herbalife Gran Canaria, registering a DNP-CD in a huge 97-72 upset loss to Sevilla.