EuroView: Motum and Madgen filling it up in Lithuania
Ben Madgen and Brock Motum continued to fill it up in the Lithuanian league, leading their respective clubs to success over the weekend as they sit one and two in the standings.
Madgen lit up the scoreboard in helping Lietkabelis Panevezys to an 84-76 win over Pieno žvaigždės. Lietkabelis led from almost start to finish, however Pieno žvaigždės never let them out of their sight to ensure an entertaining contest. Madgen would pour in a team-high 19 points (5-of-14 FG) with 5 rebounds, 5 assists and importantly no turnovers. In taking care of the ball (10 turnovers to 18) and shooting at 55% from the field, Lietkabelis were just too strong as they continue to mount a challenge against Lithuanian superpower and ladder-leader Žalgiris Kaunas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLfa3ioqocY
Žalgiris used their star power to overcome Lietuvos Rytas 79-72 to maintain their dominance over the competition. In a balanced scoring attack, Motum added an equal team-high 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including an efficient 3-of-4 three-pointers, to once remind everyone that he is one of the most dangerous offensive threats in the league. Lietuvos Rytas closed to within 4 points late in the contest, however cool heads and experience shone through at the free throw line to ensure another win for Žalgiris who overcame an unusually high 16 turnovers to shoot 54% from the field and 48% from beyond the arc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8egG6ALsJc
Nizhny Novgorod put up a good fight against Lokomotiv Kuban in the VTB United League, leading for most of the first three-quarters. However Lokomotiv lifted in the second half, taking the lead for good 2 minutes into the final period to run away with an 88-75 win. Ryan Broekhoff was efficient and effective in playing just 19 minutes. The sharpshooter added 8 points (3/5 FG) with 11 rebounds and 2 steals as his side remained in outright second place, just 1 game behind first. Broekhoff will take part in the VTB United League All-Star game and three-point shooting contest this week on 11 February in Sochi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA_5S8lXD8w
After a slow start in the Adriatic League contest against Karpoš Sokoli, FMP Belgrade came storming back in the final term to erase a 13 point deficit to steal the lead. Despite finding themselves up by 4 points with 1 minute to play, Karpoš Sokoli returned fire to tie it back up. FMP had a chance to secure the win in regulation, however with the miss extra time was required. While overtime was close, it was Karpoš Sokoli who would prevail, edging ahead for a thrilling 88-81 victory. For FMP, Jonah Bolden played a herculean 41 minutes for 9 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 b locked shot. The narrow loss has FMP entrenched mid-table in ninth place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmoqWlDa8WE
Daryl Corletto exploded for a game-high 28 points in Plymouth's 101-107 loss to London in the British Basketball League. The guard went 10-of-18 from the field including a sizzling 8-of-13 from long-range ,with 2 rebounds and 3 assists but it was not enough for the win. Rhys Carter added 12 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists, while Peter Hooley came off the bench for 7 points in the narrow loss. Plymouth remains in fifth position in the standings.
Michael Vigor added 10 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assist as the Bristol flyers overcame Leeds Force 101-83. Bristol is in eight place and looking to climb up the standings.
Fourth placed Parnu hosted competition benchmark Tartu Rock, and it was the visitors who pulled away in the second half for a 67-62 win in the Estonian Alexela KML. Forward Venky Jois started and had 6 points and 5 rebounds in 22 minutes of action.
Araberri fell short to Marin 60-76 in the Spanish second division (LEB Oro). Former Melbourne United guard Igor Hadziomerovic saw 5 minutes of action off the bench for 1 assist and 1 steal.