EuroView: Landale's efficiency powers Partizan to victory
Another week and another big performance from Jock Landale in Europe, while Ben Madgen continues to remind everyone that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
Partizan Belgrade used a spread of effort to dispose of Zenit St Petersburg 75-71 on the road. With ten players hitting the scoreboard and with no-one adding more than 11, Partizan took advantage of St Petersburg's poor shooting from beyond the arc (1-18 3PT) to take the win. First year professional Jock Landale was very good, providing 6 points on 3-4 shooting with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block in 28 minutes. The win was their second of the EuroCup season, and keeps them in touch for a chance at progressing.
In the Adriatic League, Partizan pulled away from Cibona Zagreb across the final three periods to register a solid 86-67 win. They were powered by another big outing from Landale who anchored the middle at both ends of the court. The 6'11 big man was at his efficient best, shooting 8-9 from the field including a perfect 2-2 from beyond the arc on his way to logging a game-high 19 points with 7 rebounds in an impressive showing.
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Belgrade rivals FMP also earned a very good win, defending their home court against Krka. In a 93-65 demolition, first year big man Duop Reath came of the bench to add 7 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks in another solid effort. The win ensures FMP remains locked with Partizan in equal fourth place in the standings, both sporting a 4-3 record.
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Crailsheim suffered an agonising defeat against Bonn in the German Bundesliga that has seen the Merlins forced to the bottom of the standings. Veteran guard Ben Madgen piled on a team-high 19 points (6-13 FG) with 5 rebounds and 3 assists, but despite his best efforts, could not get Crailsheim over the line as they fell short 87-89 in a thrilling finish.
Xavier Cooks and s.Oliver Würzburg fared no better, as they were taken down 71-78 by Löwen Braunschweig. Cooks added 7 points and 2 rebounds in 18 minutes as a starter, but his side's opponent pulled away in the third term before holding on in a defensive grind in the final term.
Würzburg enjoyed better luck in the FIBA Europe Cup against Romanian side CSM Oradea. After a slow start that saw them trailing by 9 at the first break, Würzburg fought back in the second before taking the lead for good in the third, running out 91-82 victors. Cooks chimed in with 6 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 26 minutes.
Back in Germany, Venky Jois saw little action in Rasta Vechta's 80-69 win against ALBA Berlin. The 6'8 forward came off the bench to gather 3 rebounds and 1 assists in just 4 minutes, as Vechta registered an important win that entrenched them in the top 8.
William McDowell-White was sent back to the Baunach Young Pikes in the German Pro A after a few weeks with Brose Bamburg, and in a limited 17 minutes, added 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. Unfortunately, his team were outclassed 76-98 by the Artland Dragons.
Mangok Mathiang continued to play his role for Vanoli Cremona in the Italian Serie A, helping guide his team to a 90-73 win against Oriora Pistoia. He went 4-6 from the field for 8 points with 11 rebounds as he patrolled the paint at both ends, with Cremona finishing the game off strongly to put the result beyond any doubt. They maintain their hold on fourth place in the standings courtesy of the big win.
Daniel Dillon played a herculean 37 minutes as Paris dropped their fifth straight via a 70-88 loss to Orleans in the French Pro B. The veteran guard contributed 11 points on 5-9 shooting with 4 rebounds and 9 assists, but alas his big outing was not enough for his struggling team.
Chima Moneke's Rouen also suffered a defeat, falling to Nancy 72-77, however the dynamic forward did not see any court time for his team that dropped to 11th in the standings.
After a big outing last week for Anadolu Efes Istanbul, Brock Motum had little impact across two tough games. In the EuroLeague, Efes went down to Milan 80-81 in a thriller. The 6'10 forward played just 9 scoreless minutes off the bench for 1 rebound. In their return to the Turkish Basketball Super League, he did not suit up at all.
Obi Kyei's good season in the Spanish second division shows no signs of slowing, as Force Lleida pipped Melilla 67-66. Kyei started again, and in 25 minutes he compiled 7 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists in another encouraging performance.
In Poland, Keanu Pinder logged 5 minutes off the bench as Legia Warszawa defeated Torun 68-63. He finished with 1 point from the charity stripe, with his team withstanding a barnstorming finish to hang on for the win.
After being suspended by his Swiss club, Matur Makur has since departed Union Neuchâtel. According to a Swiss report, following his suspension, Maker failed to train with the club for 10 days following advice from his agent not to, and subsequently Maker's services were terminated by his club. Neuchâtel has since moved on quickly to sign a replacement, while Maker's career now remains in limbo.