EuroView: Newley scores big against the might of FC Barcelona
Australian Boomer Brad Newley set the tone for the Aussie men in Europe over the past week with a big performance for Gran Canaria in their battle against traditional heavyweights FC Barcelona.
(Feature image Credit: Miguel Henriquez Cruz / Gran Canaria)
Veteran Boomer Brad Newley delivered one of his best performances of the season, scoring 19 points and 3 rebounds in Herbalife Gran Canaria’s 81-96 loss to Spanish superpower FC Barcelona. Newley was 7/10 from the field and converted 3/5 three-pointers in a very good offensive display. He was one of very few Gran Canaria players to gain any success from deep, as Gran Canaria shot a crippling 6/28 from three-point range. While on the other end, Barcelona were 11/20 on three-point attempts and this was the biggest difference between the two sides.
Barcelona dominated the glass and made the most of their chances in this game. However Gran Canaria can be pleased with their efforts in scoring in the paint, repeatedly earning trips to the line and finishing 23/27 at the charity stripe. The result gives hope to Gran Canaria despite the lopsided score, as they still had positives to take from the game. It just wasn’t their day shooting the ball, and when that coincided with the powerful Barcelona outfit (15-1 record) it was going to be a tough day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oAeD_Av5Gc
In Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas lost just their second game of the season to second-ranked Lietuvos Rytas. Zalgiris had their eight-game winning streak snapped in an intense battle that came down to the final quarter after they erased an 11 point half time margin. In the end, Lietuvos Rytas were too good in the closing moments and held on for the 78-72 victory. Brock Motum was a non-factor for Zalgiris, scoring 2 points with 3 rebounds in 15 minutes. It wasn’t the greatest game for Motum and was representative of Zalgiris as a whole, who thankfully maintain top spot despite the loss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG93byn3xBg
PGE Turow were defeated 82-85 by Torun in a fiercely competitive encounter in Poland. The game was an even contest except for the second quarter when Torun went on a 19-29 run that eventually led to victory. Daniel Dillon provided 14 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds in another solid performance. However Dillon failed to find his stroke from deep, going 1/6 from long-range and just 5/15 from the field. Torun gave Turow many opportunities with 17 turnovers, yet the hosts failed to take advantage. Turow remains in 12th place with 6 wins from 15 games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROBoD1NjzuM
Still in Poland, Ater Majok was very good in Trefl Sopot's narrow 66-64 loss to Asseco Gdynia. The 6'10 big man added 15 points (6/10 FG) with 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 blocked shot. While the hosts managed to edge ahead early, Trefl Sopot finished strongly with a 19-13 final quarter to almost steal the win. Despite boasting four players in double-figures, Trefl Sopot were beaten at the charity stripe, with their opponents making more trips. With the loss, Majok's side remains near the bottom in fifteenth place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQiD9BHX4aM
League-leaders Oostende demolished Verviers-Pepinster in a comprehensive 84-105 victory in the Belgium Scooore League. Oostende appeared in control from the outset, but it wasn’t until the third quarter that they put the advantage on the scoreboard with a 17-29 quarter. Ben Madgen scored 16 points (6/9 FG) in a good offensive display. Pepinster really needed the win but couldn’t manage an upset and now sit in 9th place on the league table.
Gravelines came out on top in the battle for top spot with ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne in the French Pro A League. ASVEL fell behind right from the start and were never in the game, and despite a minor comeback in the third quarter, they were defeated 79-63. David Andersen had a rare quiet game when ASVEL needed him most, adding 4 points and 4 rebounds. It really wasn’t the performance ASVEL or Andersen were looking for and they will look to rebound, having fallen a game behind the league-leaders.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAhltn_Dp1o
Top-ranked Palencia came up against 3rd ranked Palma in what should have been an entertaining battle in the Spanish second division, yet the class of Palencia shone through as they cruised to victory 74-59. Palencia have now won 16 of their 18 games this season and are in a great position moving forward. The win however came without much input from Mitch McCarron who chimed in with just 3 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound in 18 minutes. Palencia remains three games clear of Melila in first place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY1iB-JTCD8
Oviedo were upset by CB Clavijo in the biggest upset of the round, going down 59-73 also in the LEB Gold. Fifteenth-ranked Clavijo started slowly, but put in a big second quarter to turn a 6 point deficit into a 6 point lead. From thereon in the game slowed down, with just 18 points scored in the third quarter. Dan Trist gave his best effort on the glass, with 10 rebounds to go with 8 points (4/10 FG) in 26 minutes on the court. Trist was aggressive on both ends and grabbed 5 valuable offensive boards. However Oviedo never allowed themselves to get in the contest, shooting just 6/32 from three-point range.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MznuhTXoR0E
Aleks Maric scored 14 points and 5 rebounds for league-leaders Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in an 89-77 win over Union Olimpija in the Adriatic League. The game was controlled by Buducnost from start to finish in what was a good performance from the league-leaders. Though they failed to shoot the ball well from deep (7/23 3PT), they were very effective at the line (24/28 FT). The visitors committed 26 personal fouls and the game really did struggle to gain any momentum with so many interruptions to play. Though, their tactics failed and the league-leaders won easily, as expected and they remain in first place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzrO3jGV3NY