Broekhoff powers Lokomotiv to victory
Broekhoff powers Lokomotiv to victory
Leading the way for the ANZAC's across Euroleague and Eurocup action this week was Ryan Broekhoff.
Ryan Broekhoff was instrumental in helping spark Lokomotiv Kuban to an important 77-71 win over Panathinaikos.
Lokomotiv started the game off on a 12-2 run thanks to 8 points provided by Broekhoff early in the first quarter. Lokomotiv would hold onto the lead going into half time with the score at 33-29 Panathinaikos would keep the game close, and end up take the lead with 8 minutes left in the third quarter making the score 34-33.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5pbzsVvGPo
In the end, Lokomotiv proved too composed and too much to handle for Panathinaikos as they held on to win. Broekhoff got the start and made the most off his opportunity, scoring 16 points (6-9FG) and racking up 3 assists (+5 in plus/minus). He also showed off his shooting skill,s making four three-pointers in the game on only seven attempts. Lokomotiv now headline Group C and are in prime position to progress to the round of 16.
Zalgiris Kaunas played Stelmet Zielona Gora. This was a game between two teams in group C, fighting for a chance to make the top 16. Zielona Gora took the lead to start the game 6-4. Yet Zalgiris would come back, outscoring Zielona Gora 36-29 in the first half. Zielona Gora would make a couple of runs in the second half, but in the end it was the Lithuanian side he would hold on to the lead, winning the game 67-56.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5otEF8RLwpU
Zalgiris' perimeter defense was suffocating, allowing Zielona Gora to shoot only 16% from three-point range throughout the game. Brock Motum had a quiet game, going scoreless (0-3FG) and grabbing two rebounds in only 11 minutes of playing time.
Isaac Fotu played a solid game, in CAI Zaragoza’s loss to Belgacom Spirou Basket.
Belgacom took the lead from the start, outscoring Zaragoza 44-34 in the first half. Zaragoza wasn’t able to find a way to stop Belgacom Spirou from scoring, allowing them to score 31 points in only the first quarter. By the start of the second half, Zaragoza looked like a different team, moving the ball, and putting together defensive stops. They started to close the gap, making the score 57-52. But in the end, the lead they had given up early was too much to overcome, losing the game 80-69.
Fotu tried his best to get Zaragoza back into the game, playing good defense. But the team as a whole didn’t give him any help. He ended the game with 5 points including a triple, with 8 rebounds.
Brad Newley enjoyed another successful game in a one-sided victory over Le Mans 77-62.
Gran Canaria started the game off slow, trailing Le Mans 11-8, but fought their way back into the lead. Scoring 17 points to Le Mans 13, by the end of the first quarter. The game would ebb and flow, with both teams exchanging leads. Le Mans would end up taking the lead going into half time with the score at 32-29.
But by the start of the second half, Gran Canaria looked like a different team, shutting down Le Mans. Allowing them to score only 10 points in the third quarter, to there 26. Le Mans would make a run in the fourth, closing the gap, and making the score 63-57. But they couldn’t find a way to stop Gran Canaria from scoring, losing the game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn_htAEoejE
Newley played a good game for Gran Canaria, and although his stats don’t jump off the page, he played a big part in Gran Canaria’s win. The dynamic swingman added 2 points, grabbing 2 rebounds, having 1 assist and being (+14) in plus/minus, when on the court.
For Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, their Eurocup campaign remains on edge after they fell to Banvit Bandirma 68-76 away from home.
Looking to avenge their opening round loss, it was the home side who started strongly to open up an early lead. While the visitors would close to within 5 points late, Banvit held off Buducnost to record a key win. Former Australian Boomer Aleks Maric came off the bench to add 4 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals in 23 minutes. His contribution was not enough to gain victory, and leaves his side with a 2-4 record and a lot of work to do to try to progress to the next round.