EuroView: Mangok Mathiang's massive haul in Turkey cannot save Bahçeşehir
Despite a massive haul from Australian centre Mangok Mathiang, Bahçeşehir could not find a way to climb off the bottom of the standings in Turkey.
Mathiang and Bahçeşehir however could not translate their FIBA Europe Cup form across to the Turkish Super League, going down 68-82 to Bandirma. The 6'10 centre monstered the opposition, amassing 20 points (8-16 FG) alongside 17 rebounds for a huge double-double. However despite his efforts, they gave up 27 bench points to just 9 as Bandirma's depth ensured they came out on top and consigned Bahçeşehir to the bottom of the standings.
Earlier in the week in the FIBA Europe Cup, Mangok Mathiang provided 6 points and 11 rebounds for Bahçeşehir in a solid 80-71 win against CSU Sibiu. The victory ensured Mathiang's club topped Group D with a 5-1 record, advancing to the second round where they have been pooled with Leiden, Enisey Krasnoyarsk and Pinar Karsiyaka.
Cameron Bairstow and Rytas Vilnius suffered a 74-83 loss to Lietkabelis in the Lithuanian national league. Rytas managed just 32 first half points to trail by 15 at half time, and while they fought hard, were unable to make up the deficit in a much better second half effort.
Bairstow played almost 18 minutes for just 5 points and 3 rebounds as a starter, but coughed up 4 of his teams 13 turnovers in a performance he will look to erase from his memory.
While Zalgiris Kaunas lost a fifth straight EuroLeague contest after being overrun by ALBA Berlin, they returned home to Lithuania to extend their unbeaten run to 12 courtesy of a 100-82 victory against Neptunas.
Jock Landale played almost 20 minutes in compiling 10 points (2-3 3PT), 8 rebounds and 2 assists in another promising display. It followed his 6 points and 7 rebounds outing in EuroLeague, playing just 15 minutes in the disappointing 62-69 loss.
Brock Motum did not hit the court for Valencia in their 73-76 road loss to Crvena Zvezda Belgrade. It took a Lorenzo Brown three at the buzzer to secure the win for the home side, ending Valencia's three-game winning streak.
Back in Spain, Valencia took care of Obradoiro 86-76 on the back of a strong second half in which they outscored their opponents 47-39. Motum, who appears to have fallen out of favour with the coaching staff, played just under 4 minutes for 2 points, continuing a recent trend of diminishing playing time.
Angus Brandt and Pistoia enjoyed a rare win in the Italian Serie A, holding off Umana Reyer Venezia for a thrilling 89-87 win. Brandt logged 16 minutes as a starter, adding 6 points and 6 rebounds as Pistoia won just their third win of the season.
In the Adriatic League, Duop Reath and FMP Belgrade dismantled Zadar 94-67 to maintain pace at the top of the standings where they sit in third position. Leading by 21 points at half time, FMP rested their stars, ensuring everyone played 10 minutes or more. Having started, Reath would finish with 5 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocked shots in playing just 10 minutes. It was another dominant performance by the versatile 6'11 big man, with FMP having lost just 3 games this season to date.