EuroView: Madgen maintains the pressure
Ben Madgen and Brock Motum continued to lead their top-of-the-table teams in Lithuania while Ryan Broekhoff's shooting stroke has returned.
Lietkabelis and Ben Madgen continued to maintain the pressure on first placed BC Žalgiris Kaunas thanks to a thrilling 72-70 victory over Pieno žvaigždės in Lithuania. Madgen was at his efficient best, scoring a team-high 16 points on 6/7 shooting with 5 rebounds and 1 assist in 26 minutes. It was a close contest right to the end, but Lietkabelis would hold on to maintain outright second place, 2 games behind first.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwotl3E6-jk
Žalgiris led from almost start to finish in a comprehensive 84-68 win against Lietuvos Rytas in what has been a dominant season to date. Just as good has been Brock Motum, who again delivered the goods, this time in coming off the bench. The Australian Boomer would contribute 15 points (4/11 FG) with 3 rebounds in 26 minutes as he continued his consistent form across the season (Full Replay).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMr6TPuGkpc
In the VTB United League, Ryan Broekhoff and Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar got things going in a lop-sided 107-64 hiding of Riga. Lokomotiv moved away late in the first term and were never again challenged, with Broekhoff continuing to once again fire from range. The 6'7 swingman connected on 3/5 from beyond the arc on his way to 11 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals in a strong performance off the bench as Lokomotiv improved to 5-2 to sit in fifth place. The Australian Boomer has regained his shooting stroke that had deserted him at the start of the season, increasing his three-point shooting accuracy to over 46% and eighth best in the competition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RC8oJoLyvA
After a good showing last week, Jonah Bolden and FMP Belgrade struggled to overcome a slow start in their 69-77 loss to Budućnost VOLI in the Adriatic League. Firmly entrenched in the starting five, Bolden battled foul trouble in playing just 15 minutes for the contest. However the versatile forward showed his range in this outing, going 4/8 from downtown to finish with 12 points and 4 rebounds. With the loss, FMP still have just 3 wins from 11 games and are in 11th place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNertElAwWc
Jonathon Mines continues to emerge for Croatian side Vrijednosnice Osijek, coming off the bench to register 9 points (3/8 FG) in 20 minutes. Despite his scoring efforts, Osijek would fall short 64-73 to Zadar. Osijek lived and died from the three-point line, hitting just 8/30 from downtown. They remain mid-table with a 4-4 record.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0K0jNi6tTA
In Estonia, Tartu Rock continued to crush their opponents, this time dismantling Tarvas 105-77. Venky Jois was not required much in the rout, playing 21 minutes for 5 points (2/3 FG) and 8 rebounds and 2 assists in the big win. Tartu remain undefeated and in first place and seemingly without a title challenger.
In the British Baksetball League, Plymouth recorded a convincing 112-96 win against Newcastle, with Daryl Corletto and Rhys Carter prominent. Corletto would pour in 17 points (5/10 FG) with 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, while Carter added 11 points and 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. First year professional Peter Hooley stepped up from the bench to provide 10 points on 3/3 shooting with 4 rebounds and 2 steals in 17 minutes.
Josh Wilcher provided 14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists but could not prevent Cheshire from falling to Glasgow 67-88. This followed a 13 point and 5 assist performance in Cheshire's 80-103 loss to Surrey. Cheshire remains in second last place, while Plymouth is sitting mid-table.
Clint Steindl sat out the Leuven Bears' 75-93 loss to Hubo Limburg United Hasselt in Belgium due to injury. No further information is currently available on his injury status.