In a big week for Australian men in some of the best trans-national leagues in Europe, Jock Landale and Brock Motum both came up with big offensive games in round 8 of the EuroLeague, with the latter joining some illustrious company on the all-time scoring list.
Valencia registered their second straight win in the EuroLeague, dismantling Bayern Munich on the road for an impressive 82-56 victory. While Bayern Munich edged ahead early in the second term, the visitors unleashed a 10-0 to open up 10 point lead at half time. With just 2 points to his name up to half time, Motum exploded offensively late in the third period after being reinserted into the game, putting Valencia on course for victory.
First, Motum came up with a steal and then an open court finish, before draining back-to-back triples in the final 2:25 of the term to reel off 8 straight points. He almost single-handely put Valencia back in control and leading by 12 at the final change.
With a 23-9 final term, Valencia put Bayern Munich to the sword, leaving Germany with an impressive 82-56 win.
>In exploding for 14 points on a scintillating 6 of 7 shooting in just under 18 minutes, Motum clocked up 1,000 points in the EuroLeague. Motum joins three-time champion David Andersen as the only Australians to do so, with Andersen logging 2,299 points in his 11 seasons.
Also enjoying a big in the EuroLeague was Jock Landale, but unfortunately his side Žalgiris Kaunas could not get over the top of Olympiacos in Geece, going down 74-83.
It took a big second half effort and the support of a boisterous home crowd for Olympiacos to earn the win, taking advantage of Landale finding himself in foul trouble throughout the game.
Landale was an unstoppable force offensively, and he got going early with 4 quick points. 2 early fouls saw him venture to the bench, but he would return in the second term with a fast finish to the half to help put Žalgiris up by 2 points at half time. With Žalgiris right in touch early in the fourth, Landale picked up his 4th foul that sent him back to the bench.
The home side took advantage, opening up a 7 point lead while the Australian sat on the sidelines. Landale returned for the final minutes, and he continued to score at will. However the damage was done, with Olympiacos holding off every challenge to prevail by 9 points.
The Victorian big man amassed a game-high 23 points on an efficient 8 of 11 shooting, also coming up with 3 rebounds and 1 steal in just 19 minutes. His offensive output was a new EuroLeague career-high despite, as was his PIR of 23, all despite being plagued by foul trouble throughout.
In the EuroCup, Cameron Bairstow’s solid form continued, with the 6’9 big man adding 10 points (4-6 FG) in 16 minutes as Rytas Vilnius easily accounted for French side Limoges 92-78. He was one of four Rytas players to score in double figures, as his side improved their record to 3-4.
Mangok Mathiang delivered a 10 point and 10 rebound double-double for Bahçeşehir Koleji in their 79-70 FIBA Europe Cup win against Fribourg Olympic. The 6’10 centre also came up with 2 blocked shots, as the home side picked up their third win in Group D, consolidating second place behind Oradea.
Meh
Needs more work
Awesome