Gran Canaria earned the right to face Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the next round

Gran Canaria outlasts Reyer, 84-80! 

Dreamland Gran Canaria reached the BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals for the ninth time in club history by edging Umana Reyer Venice 84-80 at home in the single-game eighthfinals on Wednesday.

Gran Canaria is now set to face Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the single-game quarterfinals next week. Mehdy Ngouama led the winners with 18 points, all of which came in the first half. Mike Tobey added 14 while Nico Brussino and Joe Thomasson each had 12 for Gran Canaria. Jordan Parks, Tyler Ennis and Aamir Simms led Reyer with 15 points apiece. Mfiondu Kabengele pulled down 12 rebounds for the visitors.

Game Videos

Brussino got Gran Canaria going with a corner triple. Kyle Wiltjer answered from downtown before Tobey's layup gave the hosts a 5-3 edge. Carl Wheatle sank a jumper which Kabengele followed with a dunk to put Reyer up 5-7. Ngouama stepped up with a three-point play, which Ennis erased with a bomb from beyond the arc. Tobey took over with a tip-in, Thomasson scored in the paint and Ngouama's layup-plus-foul boosted Gran Canaria's lead to 15-11. Pierre Pelos improved on Ennis's jumper with a three-pointer. Ngouama followed a floater with a triple before Brussino made it a double-digit game, 25-14. Amedeo Tessitori brought Reyer within 25-16 after 10 minutes.

Tessitori hit a jump hook and fed Simms for a one-handed slam, prompting Gran Canaria to call a timeout at 25-20. Caleb Homesley and Davide Moretti each struck from downtown and so did Ngouma for a 31-23 Gran Canaria lead. Simms took over with a wild driving layup and matched Tobey's catch-and-shoot triple with his own shot from beyond the arc. Rodney McGruder scored in transition before Brussino gave the hosts fresh air at 39-30. Wiltjer scored around the basket and Parks dunked to keep Reyer close, 39-34. John Shurna ignited the crowd with an off-balance triple and Ngouama added a poster dunk off a steal, but Kabengele and Xavier Munford brought Reyer within 44-39. Ngouama sank an off-balance shot over Kabengele for a 46-39 Gran Canaria lead at halftime.

Game News

Reyer found a go-to guy in Parks, who followed a four-point play with consecutive layups. Ennis found space for an uncontested layup, which caused Gran Canaria to call timeout at 46-49, after a 0-10 run. After Thomasson and Kabengele exchanged baskets, Tobey followed a layup with a mid-range jumper. Thomasson tied it at 54-54. Parks kept pushing Reyer with a bomb from downtown and a mid-range jumper off the dribble for a 56-59 edge. Andrew Albicy found his first points, singlehandedly restoring a 60-59 Gran Canaria lead. Simms and Pelos traded triples before Homesley's driving layup fixed the score at 63-62 after three quarters.

Simms insisted from beyond the arc early in the fourth quarter. George Conditt stepped up with a fastbreak slam and Miquel Salvo improved on Moretti's layup with a three-pointer. Albicy made free throws before Moretti tied the game with a three-point play, 70-70. Tobey dunked, but Simms answered with a reverse layup. Brussino banked in a close shot that made it 74-72 with more than 3 minutes to play. Thomasson swished a five-meter jumper off the dribble and improved on Ennis's floater with a critical bomb from downtown for a 79-74 Gran Canaria lead. After Kabengele and Thomasson each split free throws, Munford made both attempts. Pelos struck from downtown to seal the outcome down the stretch.

Gran Canaria earned the right to face Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the next round


Gran Canaria outlasts Reyer, 84-80

Dreamland Gran Canaria v Umana Reyer Venice (2025-03-05T20:00:00.000Z)

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana booked a quarterfinal berth in the BKT EuroCup where it will meet Bahcesehir College Istanbul for a spot in the last four after an impressive 96-86 home win over Besiktas Fidabanka Istanbul in the eighthfinals on Wednesday. 

Cedevita Olimpija downs Besiktas 96-86 to reach quarterfinals

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana booked a quarterfinal berth in the BKT EuroCup where it will meet Bahcesehir College Istanbul for a spot in the last four after an impressive 96-86 home win over Besiktas Fidabanka Istanbul in the eighthfinals on Wednesday.

Devin Robinson led a pack of five Cedevita players who finished in double figures with 21 points and 11 boards. Brynton Lemar scored 20 points for the hosts, while Devante Jones amassed 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. DJ Stewart added 13 points and Joan Beringer chipped in with 12 for the Slovenian outfit, which erased a 13-point first-half deficit to delight a vocal home crowd in the Stozice Arena.

At the other end, Jonah Mathews paced Besiktas with 18 points while Kyle Allman registered 13 points to go with 14 assists. Yigit Arslan netted 14 points, Dustin Sleva added 12 and Uros Plavsic chipped in with 11 for the Turkish outfit.

Besiktas carved out a 23-24 lead at the end of a rollercoaster first quarter, with the lead changing hands several times. Plavsic got off to a flying start for Besiktas with a couple of early dunks as the visitors carved out a 10-13 lead before Cedevita rallied with a 9-2 run only to let the advantage slip through its fingers.

The see-saw battle continued early in the second before Besiktas pulled away to 29-38 and then 34-47 on the back of fast-flowing offense, with Allman pulling the strings. The guard dished out a flurry of assists and his teammates responded with a barrage of dunks as Besiktas benefited from great teamwork, but Olimpija clawed its way back with an 8-2 run which cut the deficit to 42-49 at halftime.

The home team ramped up its defense in the third quarter and Robinson kept roasting his markers from inside, with Stewart’s triple allowing Cedevita to nose ahead 58-57 midway through. Besiktas led 68-69 ahead of the final 10 minutes and was 70-72 in front early in the fourth, but Cedevita turned the tide for good soon after.

The visiting team was still in it midway through the final period as Cedevita led 83-79, but the writing was on the wall for Besiktas after Jones sank a deep three to stretch the home team’s lead to 92-82, effectively sealing the game as a contest.  

The Turkish team looked the more likely winner for three-quarters of a captivating battle, but ironclad defense coupled with efficient shooting from the foul line (29 of 35) propelled Cedevita into the last eight of the competition.

The Slovenian team produced a flawless second half to advance 

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2025-03-05T18:30:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom Ankara improved to 4-0 this season when scoring at least 90 points as it dismantled Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in racing into the BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals. 

Turk Telekom's offense shined in do-or-die showdown

[Turk Telekom Ankara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/turk-telekom-ankara/roster/ttk/?season=2024-25) knows it can play defense, but offense has been a bit of an issue this season. There was no such problem at that side of the court against [Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/buducnost-voli-podgorica/roster/bud/?season=2024-25) in [racing into the BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/turk-telekom-takes-care-of-buducnost-93-73-to-sets-quarterfinal-date-with-hapoel/).

Turk Telekom made 72.4% percent of its two-pointers and 42.9% percent of its three-pointers in grabbing a 93-73 victory in front of the boisterous crowd at the Ankara Spor Salonu. The home side also held Buducnost to just 47.7% on two-pointers and 26.9% from long-range.

“That was a great fight today. We played against a really strong team. We gave up 19 offensive rebounds, but other than that our defensive toughness was the key,” said Turk Telekom head coach Erdem Can, whose team will face [Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv/roster/hta/?season=2024-25) in the quarterfinals.

Turk Telekom came into the game averaging 79.8 points scored, ranking 14th in the EuroCup. And whenever the offense is clicking, the team wins.

Turk Telekom improved to 4-0 this season when scoring at least 90 points. They won at home [99-80 over U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/turk-telekom-roars-back-to-brush-cluj-aside-99-80/) in Round 7; [beat 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys 93-98](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/turk-telekom-rallies-past-lietkabelis-93-98/) on the road in Round 10; and [took down Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse 98-89](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/anthony-brown-keeps-turk-telekom-rolling-against-bourg-98-89/) at home in Round 13.

Can’s men did a great job sharing the offensive load against Buducnost. Five players scored in double figures, topped by [Anthony Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-brown/009025/)’s 20 points while [Olivier Hanlan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/olivier-hanlan/006598/) and [Speedy Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/kenneth-smith/010587/) combined for 11 points and 15 assists.

In total, Turk Telekom dished out 26 assists for the game, setting a new season high. The output was still a bit off the club’s all-time mark of 32 assists.

Many of those passes came on the break as Turk Telekom took the fast break points category 18-2 while creating 25 points off 13 turnovers by Buducnost, which had 9 points from Turk Telekom’s 11 miscues.

“We managed our aggressiveness and played the right defense. This is just one game. We qualified, we need to go step by step. We have a long way to go,” Can added.

The Turkish side improved to 4-0 in games with 90+ points 

Turk Telekom Ankara v Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (2025-03-05T16:30:00.000Z)

Turk Telekom Ankara reached the quarterfinals of the BKT EuroCup for the third straight season and will take on Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv after beating Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 93-73 at home on Wednesday in the single-game eighthfinals

Turk Telekom takes care of Buducnost, 93-73, to sets quarterfinal date with Hapoel 

Turk Telekom Ankara advanced to the quarterfinals of the BKT EuroCup where it will take on Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv after beating Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 93-73 at home on Wednesday in the single-game eighthfinals. The 2023 runner-up saw its 18-point first half lead trimmed to 6 in the third quarter, but the Turkish side never caved in.

Five Turk Telekom players scored in double figures, paced by Anthony Brown with 20 points. Kyle Alexander had 17 points, Yoan Makoundou 16, Javon Bess scored a career-high 13 points and Brian Angola collected 11 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals while Olivier Hanlan and Speedy Smith combined for 11 points and 15 assists.

Buducnost could not take advantage of 19 offensive rebounds and the Montenegro side has now gone seven attempts without advancing in a EuroCup elimination game. Fletcher Magee hit 4 three-pointers for 16 points, Kenan Kamenjas scored 12 points and McKinley Wright tallied 11 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the absence of veteran guard Yogi Ferrell.

Wright scored 5 points to put the visitors ahead 6-7. Turk Telekom started forcing some turnovers and ran away. Brown sank a pair of three-pointers as part of his 8 points and Makoundou added 6 points in an 18-2 surge to lead 24-9. Buducnost made just one field goal in the final 7 minutes of the opening frame and trailed 26-11.

Buducnost started scoring a bit more consistently - including 2 three-pointers by Magee to trim the gap to 30-19. Smith was dishing out one assist after the next and triples from Bess and Brown extended the advantage to 39-21. Buducnost charged back thanks to 7 Magee points and a Dordje Jovanovic triple to make it 39-31. Makoundou and Brown added three-pointers at the other end and Turk Telekom led 48-36 at the break.

Wright scored twice and set up a third basket as Buducnost started the second half with the first 6 points to get within 48-42 while Turk Telekom needed nearly 3 minutes to score. The visitors were feeling good but then committed back-to-back turnovers while an Angola triple and Makoundou dunk had Turk Telekom back up by 12 points. Scoring came at a premium the rest of the quarter and the home side led 62-53 after 30 minutes.

Bess connected again from long range for Turk Telekom, which held Buducnost to just two baskets in the first 4 minutes of the fourth quarter to lead 69-57. Bess and Angola drained back-to-back three-pointers as the cushion grew to 20 points with just over 3 minutes to play to finish off the game.

The 2023 runner-up is back in the top eight

Turk Telekom takes care of Buducnost, 93-73, to set up quarterfinal date with Hapoel 

Check out what the protagonists are saying ahead of the BKT EuroCup Eighthfinals

EuroCup Eighthfinals pregame quotes

### Wednesday, March 5, 2025

#### [Turk Telekom Ankara vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/turk-telekom-ankara-buducnost-voli-podgorica/U2024/183/)

#### [Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana vs. Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana-besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/U2024/182/)

**Zvezdan Mitrovic, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana head coach**

"A very important game is definitely ahead of us. So far, we have shown solid performances in the EuroCup. Besiktas is coming to us — a team that finished the regular season in fifth place in their group, but they were a EuroCup Semifinalist last season and played in the Turkish Cup final just a few weeks ago. They are truly an ambitious team with an ambitious head coach. Stozice \[Arena\] is our advantage, while everything else is on a different level, but players on the court play. Our energy will be the most important factor, and we need to be tough and aggressive. Tactics, technique, and everything else will follow, but the key is to bring the right energy. We must be strong in rebounding and focus on the fundamentals of defense. Most of our players are experiencing this level of competition for the first time, so this will be their first truly big game. The arena will be well-filled, with plenty of fans, and I believe the support from the stands will be great. It is the coaching staff’s job to prepare the team for the game."

**Jaka Blazic, Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana guard**

"I expect a tough and emotional game against a team that has been built this season to compete for the top spots in the EuroCup and the Turkish national championship. Besiktas is certainly not coming to Ljubljana waving a white flag. We have worked hard throughout the season in Europe to earn the opportunity to play this decisive game for a spot in the quarterfinals on our home court. We are all looking forward to this game. Single-elimination matchups like this are special, and they are the ones you remember after your career is over. We already faced Besiktas last season and their backcourt players are mostly the same as back then. The players know each other well and have good chemistry. They play very aggressively on defense and we have to respond with the same intensity. A lot is at stake, so we must follow the instructions from our coaching staff and react in the way we know best. I invite all our fans to join us in Stozice, to be loud, and to support us even in the moments when things might not go our way. We will need that extra push when it matters most."

Jaka Blazic: 'We worked hard to earn the opportunity to play this game at home'

#### [Dreamland Gran Canaria vs. Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/dreamland-gran-canaria-umana-reyer-venice/U2024/181/)

**Jaka Lakovic, Dreamland Gran Canaria head coach**

"I think the team is focused and mentally prepared for the game. We know what we have to do, we have been in this situation the last two years in BKT EuroCup playoff matches. The team has that experience and I am confident that we will come out in the right way for the match. We expect a very solid and physical Reyer. Ennis and Kabengele are the two players who have the biggest impact on their game. There are also others like Munford, McGruder, Wiltjer and Simms at the four position. This is a very solid and physical team. We must be prepared to defend well, secure our defensive rebounds, try to play our game in transition and have solutions in five-on-five. Neven Spahija was my coach at KK Krka Novo Mesto. He has also left our countries to make a great career as a coach. We have kept in touch throughout all these years and we are good friends."

**Neven Spahija, Umana Reyer Venice head coach**

"This is a very important game for all of us, for the history of our club, and for the Reyer fans. I regret that it’s a single-elimination match played away because our fans also would have deserved a game like this. In any case, we step onto the court aware that we can be competitive and win on the road. On the court, we must continue executing our plays, especially those in which we are most effective. We will need solid defense because it has been one of our strengths since the beginning of the year, but the result will also depend on them, as they are a great team with a lot of talent and experience. It will be a very tough game, but an exciting one to play."

**Tyler Ennis, Umana Reyer Venice guard**

"A big game awaits us. We are playing away again against a great and well-organized team. We want to step onto the court to show what we can do and what we have worked on. We are aware that we can compete and win against any opponent, whether in Italy or Europe. This is a win-or-go-home game and I believe it will be an amazing one. We need to enter the court with great confidence to bring home the victory."

De'Shawn Stephens: 'We have to be locked in, be together and we need everybody'

### Tuesday, March 4, 2025

#### [Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius vs. U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius-u-bt-cluj-napoca/U2024/184/)

**Alessandro Magro, Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius head coach**

"It's a crucial game right now. We deserve the chance to play this kind of game. After a very solid EuroCup season, we play against a very solid team. Same record as us, they are well built. They have a lot of experienced players. Right now, we are after the break in a situation where we need to recruit all the mental and physical energy we have, as well as the motivation to try to achieve another goal and try to advance winning at home in front of our fans."

**Kristupas Zemaitis, Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius guard**

"We have already gone through crucial games before. We are very disappointed with our performance in the national cup tournament and are currently in a stretch of poor results. That’s why we have some anger and are ready to fight because we only have two tournaments left this season. The fate of one of them will be decided in this game. We are playing at home and must show a completely different face than we have in the past few weeks."

**Mihai Silvasan, U-BT Cluj-Napoca head coach**

"This is a Play-Off game, so for sure, it is an important moment. They have a great team, with very good foreigners and quality Lithuanian internationals. Their team is really tall and strong. We need to match their intensity in order to win. We have our own weapons!"

**De'Shawn Stephens, U-BT Cluj-Napoca center**

"It is going to be tough. We have to be locked in, be together and we need everybody. We need all the players, even the fans. Every game is tough and this one in particular. We will not have our entire fanbase with us and the dynamic will be different. We need to be ready!"

Eighthfinals pregame quotes: 'A big game awaits'

Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius v U-BT Cluj-Napoca (2025-03-04T17:00:00.000Z)

In one of the longest post-season games in BKT EuroCup history, U-BT Cluj-Napoca reached the EuroCup Quarterfinals for the second time with a 99-100 road win at Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius that lasted 50 intense minutes and Zavier Simpson set a EuroCup postseason record with 14 assists

Zavier Simpson and Cluj made history on Tuesday

After one of the longest post-season games in BKT EuroCup history, [U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/u-bt-cluj-napoca/roster/clu/?season=2024-25) celebrated advancing to the EuroCup Quarterfinals. The Romanian champs claimed their first-ever EuroCup postseason win with [a 99-100 road victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/news/cluj-eliminates-wolves-in-2ot-99-100/) at [Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/teams/wolves-vilnius/roster/wol/?season=2024-25) after a game that lasted 50 intense minutes. Both teams seemed to have the win in the bag at some points during this incredible game in which Cluj playmaker [Zavier Simpson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zavier-simpson/013302/) made the difference with a performance for the ages.

Simpson struggled at first, tallying 7 points and 3 assists in the first half in which he didn't find his rhythm. On the other hand, Wolves star guard [Anthony Cowan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/anthony-cowan-jr/012003/) had 6 assists and just 1 turnover at the break. Cluj trailed 48-39 at halftime, but then Simpson finally got going with a floater and a couple of three-pointers. He singlehandedly carried Cluj to a 75-80 lead that seemed to seal the outcome, but a couple of late three-pointers by [Jeffery Taylor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jeffery-taylor/006546/) and Cowan helped Wolves force overtime, 81-81.

Zavier Simpson had 26 points and 14 assists, a new all-time EuroCup playoffs record, to lead U-BT Cluj-Napoca to a 99-100, double-overtime win over Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius.

Simpson sets playoff record in iconic win

Simpson saved the best for last, finding [Zach Hankins](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/zach-hankins/013304/) for easy points in the paint. His last three-pointer gave Cluj an 88-90 lead and he found Hankins for a wide-open shot in the paint, which he missed with a chance to seal the win. [Andrew Andrews](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-andrews/011248/) drew a foul at the other end and sent the game to a second overtime. Simpson dished 3 critical assists in the final 5 minutes, finding Hankins for a jump hook and a three-point play before feeding [Patrick Richard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-richard/011801/) for a three-pointer that gave Cluj a 96-100 edge.

It was an inspiring moment, as it was Richard's first three-pointer of the season after missing almost the entire regular season due to injury. Richard is Cluj's captain and is in his sixth season with the team. He has helped the team grow almost from scratch and he hit one of the biggest shots in club history, one that sent Cluj to uncharted territory in the EuroCup.

Simpson finished the game with 26 points and 14 assists, which marked both a club record and a EuroCup postseason record. The previous playoff record was 12 assists shared by four players: [Damir Mulaomerovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/damir-mulaomerovic/apl/) of PAOK Thessaloniki ([2005](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2004-05/cholet-basket-paok-thessaloniki/U2004/213/#boxscore)), [Nemanja Gordic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/nemanja-gordic/000531/) of Cedevita Zagreb ([2015](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2014-15/cedevita-zagreb-herbalife-gran-canaria/U2014/278/#boxscore)), [Stefan Markovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/stefan-markovic/lme/) of Zenit St Petersburg ([2017](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2016-17/zenit-st-petersburg-lokomotiv-kuban-krasnodar/U2016/173/#boxscore)) and [Andrew Albicy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/andrew-albicy/003425/) of Morabanc Andorra ([2019](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2018-19/alba-berlin-morabanc-andorra/U2018/180/#boxscore)). It was Simpson's fourth consecutive double-double and his sixth in his first EuroCup season. Cowan led Vilnius with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists.

After the game, Simpson highlighted his team's fighting spirit and not being intimidated by a new situation, fighting for bigger goals in the competition.

"Man, it was crazy. Obviously, this is my first EuroCup playoff game and the atmosphere was lit! We played against a really good team. They had great execution, guys that play hard, made some tough decisions like us down the stretch. And being able to go in two overtimes like this for the first time, it's amazing," Simpson said. "I am very appreciative and grateful that we were able to come out with the win."

His coach had nothing but great things to say about Simpson and his Tuesday night performance.

"He has been one of the main players all season. He is third in points scored and first in assists in the EuroCup and he can improve even more. He has a lot of room to improve and today, he was amazing," Cluj head coach Mihai Silvasan added. "He had 14 assists and just 2 turnovers. Of course, he had the ball a lot, but still his decision-making was really good. Big congrats to him but again, I will tell the players that one player or the other can have a good game, but it is important to play good basketball collectively, especially on defense, helping each other and not allowing easy points."

Simpson and Cluj will next face in the quarterfinals a familiar team, top-seeded [Valencia Basket](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/teams/valencia-basket/roster/pam/?season=2024-25), at La Fonteta.

"I believe we can win against anybody. Obviously, Valencia beat us twice this season, so hopefully that can be some extra motivation for the locker room. But Valencia speaks for itself. They are a really good team and a really good organization, great coaching staff, great players, so it is going to be kind of up to us to come out and make sure that we execute a game plan and know what we are up against."

The point guard's inspiring performance allowed the Romanian champs to eliminate Wolves in a double-overtime instant classic

The BKT EuroCup postseason gets underway on Tuesday and Wednesday with the eighthfinals as the third to sixth-placed teams from the regular season battle to reach the quarterfinals. Here's your overview of the action.

Gamecenter: EuroCup Eighthfinals 

### Wednesday, March 5

[Turk Telekom Ankara 93-73 Buducnost VOLI Podgorica](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/turk-telekom-ankara-buducnost-voli-podgorica/U2024/183/)

Turk Telekom advanced to the quarterfinals where it will take on Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv after beating Buducnost at home. The 2023 runner-up saw its 18-point first half lead trimmed to 6 in the third quarter, but the Turkish side never caved in. Five Turk Telekom players scored in double figures, paced by Anthony Brown with 20 points and Kyle Alexander with 17 points. Fletcher Magee made 4 three-pointers and scored 16 points to lead Buducnost in the absence of veteran guard Yogi Ferrell.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">EuroCup&#39;ta çeyrek finaldeyiz! 💪<br><br>Maç sonucu: Türk Telekom 93 - 73 Buducnost VOLI Podgorica<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AnkaraBasketbolu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AnkaraBasketbolu</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kaizen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kaizen</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreHereForAReason?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreHereForAReason</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/qeTB3Udj0V">pic.twitter.com/qeTB3Udj0V</a></p>&mdash; Türk Telekom Basketbol (@TT_Basketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/TT_Basketbol/status/1897353512935416158?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 96-86 Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/cedevita-olimpija-ljubljana-besiktas-fibabanka-istanbul/U2024/182/)

Cedevita booked a quarterfinal berth where it will meet Bahcesehir College Istanbul for a spot in the last four after an impressive home win over Besiktas. Devin Robinson led a pack of five Cedevita players who finished in double figures with 21 points and 11 boards and Brynton Lemar scored 20 points for the hosts, who erased a 13-point first-half deficit to delight a vocal home crowd in the Stozice Arena. At the other end, Jonah Mathews paced Besiktas with 18 points and Kyle Allman paired 13 points with 14 assists. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DRAGONS WIN! A major comeback for the big win over Besiktas and a spot in the Quarterfinals!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZmajevaDruzina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZmajevaDruzina</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DragonFamily?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DragonFamily</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BKTEuroCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BKTEuroCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/UeA9maBa7o">pic.twitter.com/UeA9maBa7o</a></p>&mdash; Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana - English (@KKCedOL_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KKCedOL_EN/status/1897386855315988666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Dreamland Gran Canaria 84-80 Umana Reyer Venice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/dreamland-gran-canaria-umana-reyer-venice/U2024/181/)

Gran Canaria reached the quarterfinals for the ninth time in club history by edging Umana Reyer Venice at home. Gran Canaria is now set to face Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the single-game quarterfinals next week. Mehdy Ngouama led the winners with 18 points, all of which came in the first half. Mike Tobey added 14 while Nico Brussino and Joe Thomasson each had 12 for Gran Canaria. Jordan Parks, Tyler Ennis and Aamir Simms led Reyer with 15 points apiece. Mfiondu Kabengele pulled down 12 rebounds for the visitors.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🏀 Final:<br><br>🐥 Dreamland Gran Canaria 84<br>🟫 Umana Reyer Venecia 80<br><br>🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VamosGranca?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VamosGranca</a> <a href="https://t.co/yvjQqkqfxJ">pic.twitter.com/yvjQqkqfxJ</a></p>&mdash; Dreamland Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GranCanariaCB/status/1897404896254812473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Tuesday, March 4

[Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius 99-100 U-BT Cluj-Napoca](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/game-center/2024-25/wolves-twinsbet-vilnius-u-bt-cluj-napoca/U2024/184/)

Cluj advanced to the quarterfinals for the second time in club history by edging Wolves in double overtime in the Lithuanian capital on Tuesday. Cluj will face Valencia Basket in the single-game quarterfinals next week. Zavier Simpson paced the winners with 26 points and a club-record 14 assists and De'Shawn Stephens added 17 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony Cowan led Wolves with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The game of the season belongs to <a href="https://twitter.com/UBTCluj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UBTCluj</a> 👀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToGreatness</a> <a href="https://t.co/iriT5IPi8D">pic.twitter.com/iriT5IPi8D</a></p>&mdash; BKT EuroCup (@EuroCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1897007215086854353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The BKT EuroCup postseason got underway on Tuesday, and continues on Wednesday with the eighthfinals as the third- to sixth-placed teams from the regular season battle to reach the quarterfinals. Here's your overview of the action.

Game center: Gran Canaria, Cedevita, Turk Telekom, Cluj are through to quarters

It was one of the longest post-season games in BKT EuroCup history


Cluj eliminates Wolves in 2OT, 99-100! 

U-BT Cluj-Napoca advanced to the BKT EuroCup Quarterfinals for the second time in club history by edging Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius 99-100 in double overtime in the Lithuanian capital on Tuesday. It was the first of four single-game eighthfinal showdowns this week.

Cluj will face Valencia Basket in the single-game quarterfinals next week. Zavier Simpson paced the winners with 26 points and a club-record 14 assists. De'Shawn Stephens added 17 points and 10 rebounds while Karel Guzman and Zach Hankins each scored 15 points for Cluj. Anthony Cowan led Wolves with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists. Andrew Andrews added 15 points, Garrison Brooks had 13, Jeffery Taylor and Arnoldas Kulboka each scored 12 and Kristupas Zemaitis contributed 10 for the hosts.

It was all offense early as the teams combined to make 7 of their first 8 shots. Cluj cooled off first as Wolves went up 11-6 on a layup by Zemaitis. Meanwhile, Cluj center Hankins, who scored his team's first 4 points, took a seat with 2 fouls. Wolves continued to pad its lead, going up 20-11 after a floater off the glass and a triple by Zemaitis, which gave him half of his team's points. After a timeout, Kulboka added a three-pointer for the hosts. Adam Mokoka and Stephens tried to get Cluj back on track, but to no avail. Regimantas Miniotas and Andrews helped Wolves end the first quarter up 33-20. 

Stephens sank a turnaround jumper early in the second quarter and Mareks Mejeris's reverse layup prompted Wolves to call a timeout at 33-24. Stephens kept pacing Cluj with a power layup before Patrick Richards's backdoor basket made it a 5-point game. Sasu Salin capped a 0-10 run with a layup before Thurman struck from downtown for a 36-30 Wolves lead. After Mokoka and Brooks traded layups, Thurman dunked and D.J. Seeley's three-pointer brought Cluj within 40-35. Andrews answered from beyond the arc and Cowan and Guzman exchanged baskets before Simpson got Cluj within 6. Brooks boosted the hosts' lead to 48-39 at the break.


Stephens took over with a fastbreak layup soon after the break and Simpson's floater gave Cluj hope at 48-43. Taylor rescued the Wolves with a backdoor slam, which Simpson bettered with a shot from downtown. Brooks stopped the show with a one-handed alley-oop slam and matched Guzman's put-back basket with another slam for a 54-48 Wolves lead. Kulboka and a red-hot Simpson traded three-pointers and Guzman also struck from beyond the arc to bring Cluj within striking distance, 57-54. Andrews swished a jumper and found Thurman for a triple. Mokoka scored in penetration before Miniotas answered with a layup for a 64-57 Cluj lead at the end of the third quarter.

Simpson kept pushing the visitors early in the fourth quarter and he got help from Richards to make it a two-point game. Cowan stepped up for Wolves and Andrews's three-pointer gave the hosts fresh air, 69-62. Salin answered from downtown, igniting an 0-8 run that he capped with free throws to complete Cluj's comeback, 69-70, with less than 6 minutes left. Cowan scored in penetration, but Stephens erased that with a tip-in. Andrews restored a 73-72 Wolves lead with more than 3 minutes remaining. Stephens took over with a wild alley-oop slam and Guzman erased Taylor's layup with a highly-contested basket. Simpson followed a floater with a driving layup that caused Wolves to call timeout at 75-80 with 1:55 left. Taylor sank his trademark corner triple and Cowan beat the shot clock with a bomb from downtown that tied it at 81-81. Thurman missed from downtown at the end of regulation.

Cowan stepped up with a driving layup early in overtime. Hankins scored down low and matched Cowan's layup with a dunk that tied it at 85-85. Hankins made free throws but Cowan buried a step-back three-pointer for a 88-87 score in the next-to-last minute. Simpson answered from beyond the arc before Andrews drew a foul with 0.6 seconds left. He made both attempts, sending the game to a second overtime. 

Simpson fed Hankins for a jump hook early in the second extra period. Guzman added a fastbreak slam that made it a two-possession game, 90-94. Cowan drew a couple of fouls to tie the game from the free throw line, 94-94. Taylor took over with a fastbreak slam that Hankins bettered with a three-point play. Richards buried a critical three-pointer for a 96-100 score. Kulboka got a three-point play at the other end and Wolves got the ball back with a chance to win the game but Cowan turned the ball over with 1.3 seconds left, allowing Cluj to celebrate a historical win! 

Euroleague Basketball and PPC Group, the leading energy group in Southeastern Europe, have announced the launch of their multi-year partnership. PPC becomes the official partner for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup competitions in Greece until 2027.

PPC and Euroleague Basketball announce multi-year partnership

Euroleague Basketball and PPC Group, the leading energy group in Southeastern Europe, have announced the launch of their multi-year partnership. PPC becomes the official partner for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup competitions in Greece until 2027.

As part of this agreement, PPC will have a prominent presence during Greek teams´ games in the EuroLeague and EuroCup, both through in-arena and television broadcasts. Additionally, the partnership will leverage Euroleague Basketball's expansive digital ecosystem, offering PPC with unparalleled visibility and engagement opportunities across multiple digital platforms. The partnership will also focus on sustainability initiatives, fully aligned with PPC's mission to promote clean energy solutions and energy efficiency.

"We are delighted to welcome PPC to the Euroleague Basketball partners family. Having a leading energy group join our sponsorship portfolio strengthens our commitment to working with top-tier brands in key industries," said Gawain Davies, Euroleague Basketball Chief Commercial Officer. "Greece is one of our core markets, and partnering with PPC is a perfect fit for our aspirations to continue growing the Euroleague brand in this territory, enhancing the sport’s reach while delivering an electric experience for our passionate basketball community."

Sofia Dimtsa, Chief Corporate Affairs & Communications Officer at PPC Group, stated: "It is a great honor for us at PPC to collaborate with a top-tier sports organization that highlights talent, passion, and fair play. The launch of our partnership with Euroleague Basketball marks a new chapter in our already strong relationship with the sport, strengthening our presence in basketball in all its forms. We actively support sports, sustainability, and the values that bring our communities together. We look forward to experiencing powerful moments on the court alongside fans and teams that inspire us."

As part of its strategic energy transformation, PPC Group is reinforcing its commitment to basketball by supporting the sport across all its forms—from elite Euroleague competitions to 3x3 basketball. This collaboration aligns with PPC’s dedication to promoting sports and sustainable development, emphasizing the core values of teamwork, passion, and sportsmanship. With sustainability at the heart of its mission, PPC invests in initiatives that inspire positive social impact, contributing to a better and more sustainable future for all.

This partnership reinforces Euroleague Basketball’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, ensuring that Europe’s top basketball competitions continue to engage fans while promoting responsible and sustainable energy solutions.