EuroView: Broekhoff doubles up to unite Lokomotiv
A host of Australian men enjoyed strong performance across Europe this past week, led by Ryan Broekhoff, David Andersen and Ater Majok who all posted double-doubles.
In the VTB United League, Ryan Broekhoff showed off his versatility, doing everything he could in order to help Lokomotiv Kuban come out with a win over Avtodor Saratov. Broekhoff was everywhere on both ends of the floor, playing shutdown defense as he racked up 4 steals and one block on the night, to go with a stunning double-double of 10 rebounds and 15 points on 4/9 three-point attempts. Lokomotiv was able to come out with the win, thanks to an excellent shooting performance from the team, making 17-36 (47%) three-point attempts on the night. In the end, that helped propel Lokomotiv to victory, with the final score 91-77.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U08vyV8lBE
David Andersen was the lone bright spot for ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne as he tried willing them to victory with his second double-double in a row, scoring 17 points on 7/13 field goal attempts with 11 rebounds and even showing off his passing skills with 3 assists on the night. However, it wasn’t enough as ASVEL went on to lose their third game in a row in an upsetting loss to Cholet Basket 86-82. ASVEL didn’t look good for much of the first three-quarters, although they would flip a switch, outscoring Cholet 32-23 in the final period. But one good quarter wouldn’t make up for much of the lackadaisical play through the earlier periods.
In Poland, PGE Turow got blown out in a losing effort to BC Anwil. Turow came out with a strong first quarter, outscoring Anwil 23-15, however that was the only competitive quarter they had. Anwil started turning it on through the final three periods, with Turow going down 94-75. Daniel Dillon couldn’t get it done in the scoring department, although he did find other ways to contribute, dishing out 9 assists on the night. He finished the game with 9 points (3/7 FG) and 3 rebounds in 33 minutes of action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAwiZNK8xCk
Trefl Sopot came away as losers in a nail-biting loss to King Wilki Morskie Szczecin. Ater Majok had a double-double, scoring 13 points (6/10 FG), hauling in 11 rebounds, dishing out 3 assists and blocking 2 shots in 28 minutes of action. From start to finish it was a back and forth affair between both teams as they looked to separate themselves from the opposition. Yet the game would come down to the final minutes as King Wilki Morskie Szczecin led 75-70. Trefl Sopot made a three-pointer closing the gap to 2, but by then the game was over, losing 75-73.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCC6dRUwv5s
Ben Madgen went off in Verviers-Pepinsters’ win over Kangoeroes Basket Willebroek in Belgium. He finished the game with 19 points on an efficient 7-11 field goal attempts, and he also made a pair of three-pointers on the night. Verviers-Pepinster scored 60 points in the paint, simply dominating their opponents. Kangoeroes Basket Willebroek had no answer to stopping them from scoring easy baskets at the rim and in turn that came back to hurt them, as Verviers-Pepinster came away with the win 98-97
In the Spanish ACB, Herbalife Gran Canaria came away with their third win in a row, this time over La ICL Manresa. Brad Newley continued his string of excellent performances as he finished the game with 11 points and 3 rebounds in 22 minutes of playing time. To start the first half, Manresa looked like the better team; Gran Canaria had trouble finding a rhythm from behind the arc, as Manresa took the slight edge 33-32. However, they started catching fire in the second half outscoring Manresa 46-37 and going on to win the game 78-70.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1ETHw0iraQ
CAI Zaragoza looked to end their four-game losing streak as they took on FIATC Joventut. Throughout the game, Zaragoza looked to attack, scoring 52 points in the paint compared to their opponents who made only 18. Joventut had no answer to stopping the opposition and in the end that came back to hurt them, as Zaragoza came away with the win 94-83. Isaac Fotu bounced back from a quiet last week adding 10 points (4/7 FG) to go with 5 rebounds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibnCA3yIYE0
Zalgiris Kaunas came away with a lopsided win over Siauliai 80-64 in Lithuania. Brock Motum had a solid game scoring 8 points to go with 2 rebounds in only 19 minutes of playing time. Zalgiris lead from start to finish thanks to a great defensive outing from the team, holding their opponents to 39% shooting from the field.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fffDNkL0H8
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica looked to continue staying atop the Adriatic League standings as they beat MZT Skopje 72-68. A strong second quarter showing in which Buducnost outscored their opponents 22-8 was the beginning of the end as they came away with the win 72-68. Aleks Maric chipped in 12 points on 5/9 shooting from the field, to go with 7 rebounds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRXCbtF0Hvc
In the Spanish second division, Dan Trist helped lead Oviedo to victory over 9th ranked Caceres. Trist was the second leading scorer for Oviedo, scoring 14 points (5/7 FG) and hauling in 9 rebounds in 24 minutes of action. Rebounding was the difference between winning and losing in this game, as Oviedo dominated the boards, outrebounding their foe 50-36. The extra offensive possessions came back to hurt Caceres as they lost the game 83-76.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_7pILVSCqM
Mitch McCarron also enjoyed a strong showing as Palencia consolidated top spot in the LEB Oro by accounting for Castello 94-75. The guard was elevated to the starting line-up and posted 9 points (4/6 FG) with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and an impressive 5 steals in a very good win. McCarron was in amongst all the action as Palencia dominated, with their opponents only showing some fight in the third term.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt-oNXEBLWk