Broekhoff's big game maintains Lokomotiv's unbeaten EuroCup run
Ryan Broekhoff and Lokomotiv Kuban can do no wrong, as the Australian helped bankroll a twelfth straight victory to extend their unbeaten run in the EuroCup.
In the match of round, Lokomotiv hosted fellow undefeated side Trento for a chance to take outright control of Group G in the Top 16.
From early on, it was the home side that gained the early ascendancy, with Broekhoff helping fire his side race to an early 20 point lead, before heading into the quarter-time break up 29-16. The Italian side bounced back quickly in the second, going on a 19-1 run that soon had the game level at 30 apiece. Lokomotiv found scoring tough in the second, allowing the visitors back into the contest. Broekhoff stepped up again to halt the rot, igniting another Lokomotiv run with a nice put-pack to ensure his side led by 13 points at the main break.
After Broekhoff landed two triples early in the third, Lokomotiv pulled away by more than 20 yet again, and from this position they were never again threatened. Lokomotiv would cruise to a 97-69 victory, and it was again Broekhoff at the forefront of that success [video highlights].
The dual Olympian was on fire, connected on 5-10 from beyond the arc on his way to logging a game-high 20 points in 29 minutes. He also pulled down 4 rebounds and came up with 4 steals in another eye-catching performance that is yet again sure to attract the attention of NBA scouts. His scoring output matched his EuroCup season best of 20 points that he compiled against ALBA Berlin, in doing so tallying double-digit scoring for the tenth time in a row.
https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/951172430109736960
Broekhoff has been delivering 13 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1 steal per game, but he is also shooting a sizzling hot 52.2% from three-point territory making his shooting a valuable commodity.
Lietuvos Rytas lost their second straight game in the EuroCup Top 16 phase after falling short to Bayern Munich on the road 81-68. Rytas were undone by Munich's ability to get to the free throw line where they made a stunning 24-28 compared to just 6-12 from the visitors. Rytas' scoring dried up across the second and third terms, adding just a combined 26 points, and from their the German's were in complete control as they ran out 13 point winners [video highlights].
For Ben Madgen, it was a quieter than normal night. The dynamic veteran guard played just 11 minutes for just 2 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist, figures that belie his season average of 7.3 points in 20 minutes since making an immediate impact after returning from injury.
Former NBL star Scottie Wilbekin, leads the EuroCup in scoring with 19.13 points per game. The ex-Cairns Taipan is suiting up for Turkish side Darussafaka Istanbul who are 2-0 in Group E. Another ex-NBL star in Mickell Gladness (Townsville Crocs) leads the competition in field goal percentage in playing for Bilbao Basket, shooting at 77.27% from the field.