EuroView: Jois and Motum deliver big hauls

A number of Aussie men delivered big performances across Europe this past week, with Venky Jois and Brock Motum leading the charge.

Jois' brilliant form in Croatia continued this week, with the 6'8 forward going 11-of-19 from the field in registering a game-high 23 points with 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 blocked shot. However despite the massive haul, Jois was unable to prevent Vrijednosnice Osijek from falling short 89-81 to Skrljevo in the Croatian A1 League. While his side slumped to 1-2 to open the season, Jois has been outstanding, averaging an impressive 18 points on 60% shooting and with a league-best 10.3 rebounds per game.

A thrilling contest saw Anadolu Efes Istanbul escape with a come-from-behind 86-84 win against Eskisehir in the Turkish Basketball Super League. A frantic final minute saw the visitors steal the win, ending with a team-best 19 point outing from Motum who enjoyed his best game with his new team. He would also add 7 rebounds and 2 assists as his side earned a much-needed win.

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Lokomotiv Kuban hosted Russian rivals Unics Kazan in the VTB United League. In what was a close contest, Unics went on a 4-19 final term run to steal the win 67-77. Ryan Broekhoff came off the bench to add just 2 points in 30 minutes, playing a defensive oriented role for his side. However despite their best efforts, his side fell to a 1-1 record.

Dan Trist continued his great start to the season in the Spanish second division but was unable to prevent a 90-85 Orense loss to his former club Oviedo. Trist poured in 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting with 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 29 minutes.

In the German Pro A, William McDowell-White added 7 points, 8 assists and 2 steals as Baunach fell short to Koeln 67-78. Baunach were undone by 14 turnovers, and will rue the fact they made just 7-of-15 from the charity stripe in what was a close contest.

Thanks to a solid contribution of 13 points and 6 rebounds from Deng Deng off the bench, Korihait accounted for KTP Basket 97-90 in Finland. Not much separated either side, however Korihait proved more efficient and ultimately effective to improve to 3-3 on the season.

Michael Vigor captained Bristol to a 86-70 loss to Sheffield in the British Basketball League. He added 5 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists, but could not prevent the 16 point loss. Briston have been reduced to 1-2 and in the bottom third of the standings early in the season.

Still in Scandinavia, Joel Spear fired in 4 three-pointers but his team-high haul of 24 points was not enough to avoid Nidaros being blown out 88-113 by Froya in Norway. Spear has been in great form, averaging 20 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6 assists per game to open the season.

Across in Sweden, Uppsala were out pointed by the top of the table Jamtland 66-59 in the Basketligan. Rhys Carter chipped in 11 points but only managed 2-of-11 from long-range in his output. While he would add 5 assists and 3 rebounds, it was not enough from preventing Uppsala from slumping to a 1-3 record.

Maccabi Tel Aviv earned a narrow 2 point win against Gilboa Galil in the Israeli Winner League, 74-72. Jonah Bolden did not suit up in the contest. Ben Madgen also did not suit up for Lietuvos Rytas in their 71-101 demolition of Siauliai.