Motum and Broekhoff shining in Euroleague
Brock Motum and Ryan Broekhoff continued to shine in Euroleague, while Brad Newley helped propel his side to an unbeaten start to the Eurocup season.
Zalgiris Kaunas bounced back from their defeat at the hands of Lokomotiv Kuban and Ryan Broekhoff at home to steal an away win against Turkish powerhouse Pinar Karsiyaka Izmir 68-66.
Motum continued his consistent start to the season, adding 13 points (4/7 FG, 4/4 FT) alongside 7 points and 2 assists in 35 minutes. He helped spark the visitors with a big breakaway slam in the first quarter, going on to the end first quarter on a high with a 23-15 advantage.
Both sides traded blows throughout the remainder of the game, with Motum making some big free throws in the third quarter to keep his side in front. However it all eventually came down to the last play of the game, with Zalgiris leading by 2 points and the home side with the last possession. Motum successfully pressured his opponent into a force three-point attempt that never looked close, sealing the important road win. With the victory, Zalgiris improve to 2-1 and remain in contention with the Group C leaders.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwIKisgAp_g
Ryan Broekhoff also continues to deliver in spades for his new side Lokomotiv Kuban, adding 7 final quarter points to help guide his team to a 83-75 away win over Stelmet Zielona Gora.
The home side started strongly, edging ahead to an early lead. However Lokomotiv won the second period by 4 points to take a 2 point lead into the main break. The lead was traded throughout the third term, with neither team able to gain a clear upper-hand. The result would come down to which team finished the strongest.
Boasting a class lineup, it was the visitors, with Broekhoff's scoring pushing them ahead for good. Broekhoff would go on to provide 12 points (4/6 FG), including 3/5 from long-range with 3 rebounds and 1 steal in 23 minutes. It was enough to help Lokomotiv remain unbeaten and improve to 3-0 in Group C, arguably the toughest group, with games against Karsiyaka and FC Barcelona to follow.
"We are very happy with the win, but we have another tough road game in two days before preparing for our next Euroleague game," shared Broekhoff. "All of them are tough but we are pleased to get off to a good start."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOnNuscSEyU
Over in the Eurocup, Gran Canaria continued to roll and increased their unblemished start to the season with a comprehensive 103-76 demolition of Enel Brindisi.
The game was put beyond a doubt early, with Gran Canaria using unanswered runs of 9-0 and 10-0 in the first quarter to put their outmatched opponents to the sword. With the game effectively over at quarter time (31-13), the hosts were able to run their bench and give them a healthy boost of court time.
Brad Newley was in outstanding form, compiling 9 points on 3/4 shooting with 4 rebounds and 3 assists in just 12 minutes on court. The win boosts their record to 3-0 and firmly entrenched in outright first place in Group B.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mvLHjVop1o
After a great start to the season, Aleks Maric had his first quiet game as Buducnost VOLI Podgorica lost to Trabzonspor Medical Park 71-75 on the road.
The damage started in the second quarter when the home side connected on 7 straight three-pointers, and was finished with a pivotal third period where the visitors were outscored 16-23. From this point forward, Buducnost were playing catch up in front of a parochial Trabzonspor crowd and the win remained beyond reach. Buducnost are now 1-2 to open the season and will be desperate to earn a win against Russian side Unics Kazan next round.
