Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv snapped its two-game losing streak by beating Joventut Badalona 103-99 in its first home game at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Round 8 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup campaign. 

Hapoel outscores Joventut, 103-99, in playoff rematch

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv snapped its two-game losing streak by beating Joventut Badalona 103-99 in its first home game at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Round 8 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup campaign. The rematch from last season's quarterfinals, which Joventut won, was a highly entertaining duel, with Hapoel being in control of the game and withstanding a late comeback attempt by Joventut to clinch the victory. Hapoel improved to 5-2 on the season, while the Spanish side dropped to 3-5.

An extraordinary Xavier Munford recorded season-highs in points (31) and PIR (35) to lead the winners. Jaylen Hoard scored 18 points, with J’Covan Brown and Kyle Alexander adding 17 each. Brown also dished 9 assists. Andres Feliz paced Joventut with 24 points, Andrew Andrews netted 23, Deshaun Thomas registered 20 and a debutant Tyler Cook added 15.

Game News

There was a constant exchange of leads in the first quarter, with both teams embracing an entertaining fast tempo and offering great spectacle on the floor. Thomas opened the scoring from behind the arc, but Munford scored his first 5 points, with Alexander and Hoard adding another 4 each for a narrow 15-13 Hapoel lead. Cook came off the bench to make his EuroCup debut with Joventut and sank back-to-back baskets to bring the guests within 20-19. Idan Zalmanson made 2 from the line and scored a bucket to allow Hapoel to take a 26-19 lead into the second quarter.

### Hoard helps Hapoel extend lead

Triples by Braian Angola and John Holland extended their team’s lead to double digits, 32-22. Joventut bounced back, as Pau Ribas nailed one from behind the arc, Feliz scored a layup and Thomas took his tally to 8 points to bring them within 34-30. Munford sank his third triple of the night and Hoard skied for a dunk in transition for a 44-35 Hapoel lead. Shortly after, a Thomas triple was followed by a couple of converted free throws by Hoard and Bar Timor scored one from downtown to secure a 54-44 Hapoel cushion heading into the second half.

Game Videos

### Munford remains hot from deep

Feliz knocked down his first triple of the night for Joventut’s first points after the break, but Alexander responded with back-to-back baskets. Andrews and Hoard exchanged buckets before Munford drilled yet another triple to give Hapoel a 63-53 cushion. Then, Munford sank one from the corner to go 6-for-7 from behind the arc and take his tally to 27 points with 5:38 remaining in the third quarter. Ribas, Feliz and Thomas drilled a triple each to cut the deficit to 72-67. Brown sank a fade-away jumper to beat the third-quarter buzzer and gave Hapoel an 83-74 lead.

### Joventut rally comes up short

An Andrews triple was followed by baskets from Feliz and Thomas, with Joventut trimming the difference to 87-83. Andrews and Angola exchanged buckets before Feliz made it a one-possession game, 89-87, with less than 5 minutes left on the clock. Alexander completed a three-point play, but Andrews responded with a corner triple. Feliz drilled Joventut’s 16th three-pointer of the night to match its EuroCup record of triples made in a single game, which made it 94-93. Then, Feliz tied the game with a layup, but Alexander responded with 4 unanswered points on the other end, 99-95. A Munford basket in transition was followed by back-to-back buckets from Cook and Andrews to bring Joventut within 101-99 with 15 seconds to go, but Brown made 2 from the line to seal the victory. 

Xavier Munford pours in 31 points to pace the winners.

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv v Joventut Badalona (2023-11-22T18:00:00.000Z)

Visiting 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys made the most of effervescent shooting streaks to earn a 71-75 win at Slask Wroclaw and stay on course to emulate last season’s success, when the Lithuanian side reached the EuroCup Playoffs.

Fast starts to both halves lifted Lietkabelis over Slask

Visiting 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys made the most of effervescent shooting streaks to earn a 71-75 win at Slask Wroclaw and stay on course to emulate last season’s success, when the Lithuanian side reached the EuroCup Playoffs.

With both teams playing in fits and starts, Lietkabelis showed more consistency and prevailed thanks to superior long-range artillery, having sank 15 three-pointers, albeit from 39 attempts. The visitors sank

4 of their first 5 shots from downtown to romp ahead 9-20 and although the percentages inevitably dropped as the game wore on, they also nailed a flurry of three-pointers in the third quarter when they pulled away into a 36-52 lead on the back of a 16-0 run.

“That was the defining moment of the game because we had fought hard to get back on level terms,” Slask coach Jakub Winnicki said after the game. “They made some really tough shots down the stretch. We did a great job in the fourth quarter but overall, we just didn’t have the momentum as there was no flow on our offense.”

Slask indeed blew hot and cold all night, as it managed to cut the gap to 42-52 only for Lietkabelis to come up with a 16-4 run late in the third to open up its biggest lead of the night, 46-68. The game seemed over as a contest with the visitors 52-73 ahead early in the fourth, but Slask then produced its best streak of the night, 19-2, which fell just short of forcing a final twist.

The home team shot just 8 of 23 from long range and was outrebounded 39-31 by a more athletic Lietkabelis team, which thrived on the extra pass and open looks at the perimeter when the chips were down.

“The most important thing is that we won the game but it’s clear that we should have finished it off in an easier and smarter way,” Lietkabelis head coach Nenad Canak told the post-game press conference. “The last 4 minutes, we stalled on offense and didn’t run back when we lost possession, giving Slask a chance to tie the score. We’ll take the win as it boosts our chances of reaching the playoffs.”

The Lithuanian team took advantage of hot streaks early in the first and third quarters.

Slask Wroclaw v 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (2023-11-22T17:00:00.000Z)

7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys kept alive its hopes of making the playoffs after a 71-75 win at Slask Wroclaw in their BKT EuroCup Round 8 clash. 

Lietkabelis beats Slask, 71-75, to boost post-season hopes

7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys kept alive its hopes of making the playoffs after a 71-75 win at Slask Wroclaw in their BKT EuroCup Round 8 clash. The victory improved the Lithuanian side’s record to 4-4, while the Polish outfit remained rooted to the bottom of Group B on 0-8.

A balanced effort saw Gediminas Orelik pace Lietkabelis with 19 points and 4 rebounds. Martynas Varnas added 14 points for the visitors, Donatas Sabeckis chipped in with 13 points and 6 rebounds and Deividas Sirvydis netted 11 points.

At the other end, Jakub Niziol posted a game-high 21 points for Slask, who have now lost 17 EuroCup games in a row dating back to midway through the regular season last term. Daniel Golebiowski scored 14 points for the home side and Kendale McCullum added 11.

### Offenses fire up early 

The opening exchanges treated the fans to vastly entertaining basketball as Lietkabelis sank their opening 6 shots - 3 of them from downtown. The visitors raced into a 9-20 lead thanks to some spectacular offense, getting open looks all around on the back of their quick transition of the ball.

However, Slask was able to slash the deficit to 24-28 at the end of the opening period, largely thanks to a fine solo effort from Niziol who posted 11 points in the first quarter. 

### Lietkabelis takes control with big run

The hosts kept going and nosed ahead 35-34 in the closing stages of the second, at which point their offense came to a screeching halt. With the score tied 36-36 late in the first half, Lietkabelis found its range from downtown again and conjured a 0-16 run which left the home team with a mountain to climb early in the third quarter. 

### Slask's late rally falls short

Niziol kept the Polish side afloat with three fine slam-dunks, but Lietkabelis was seemingly out of sight after extending its lead to 52-73 early in the fourth.

Slask then launched a tremendous fightback as the hosts closed the gap to 65-73 and then 71-75 heading into the final minute of the game. However, they failed to make good defense count late in the game as they threw away their last two possessions. 

All said, Lietkabelis ground out a hard-fought win while it's back to the drawing board for Slask, which once again paid the price for inconsistency.

The visitors were forced to hang on in the closing stages after they nearly blew a 21-point lead.

SC Prometey defeated Reyer Venezia 89-82 in Round 8 of the 2023-24 EuroCup season to improve to 4-4, with the visitors dropping to 3-5.

SC Prometey goes up a gear to down Reyer Venezia, 89-82

Prometey Slobozhanske leaned on a strong final quarter and a half to defeat Umana Reyer Venice 89-82 at Riga Arena, Latvia, in Round 8 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Regular Season on Wednesday evening. Thanks to this win, Prometey’s second in as many games, the hosts improved their record to 4-4 while Reyer dropped to 3-5.

Ondrej Balvin dominated inside for Prometey en route to a team-high 15 points, while he also had 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block and 0 turnovers. Caleb Agada, Issuf Sanon and Illia Sydorov added 12 points apiece in the win, and Oleksandr Lypovvy contributed 11. For Reyer, Kyle Wiltjer scored a game-high 18 points, with Rayjon Tucker netting 15, Alex O’Connell recording 13, Aamir Simms getting 11 and Davide Casarin adding 10.

### A well-fought first quarter

The game began with a lot of parity, as the two sides exchanged points in the early going. Every time that Prometey scored, Reyer responded and vice versa. Still, it was Reyer that seemed to get the better of the opening proceedings, with Tucker scoring 8 first-quarter points to give the Italian side a 17-21 lead with a minute remaining. But, a powerful basket by Balvin and 1 free throw from Odiase made it a 20-20 ballgame after 10 minutes.

### Reyer started to flex its muscles

Despite being without scorers Marco Spissu and Barry Brown Jr, Reyer's offense started to flow beautifully in the second quarter, with O'Connell, Simms and Wiltjer coming to the fore in particular. In fact, a 2-12 start to the second quarter by Reyer allowed it to open a 22-33 margin, but Rob Gray's first points as a Prometey player — a 1-for-2 trip to the line — seemed to provide a spark for the hosts. Prometey really started to pick up momentum in the second half of the second quarter, as Agada, Balvin and Odiase trimmed the margin before Ronald March's big dunk made it a 3-point game, 34-37. Wiltjer picked things up late and O'Connell added a reverse layup to make it 36-44, but a Sydorov triple and a free throw from March cut it to 40-44 at halftime.

### Prometey flipped the script

Although the third quarter got off to a great start for Reyer, with Wiltjer continuing his heroics to set a 45-52 score with 7:40 remaining, Sydorov and Lypovvy scored layups before Sanon dunked to force a Reyer timeout, 51-52. Eventually, Lypovvy drained a triple to give Prometey its first lead since the first quarter, 59-58, with 4:06 left. From there, Reyer never led again. Although he had been quiet until then, Gray began to put his fingerprints on the contest, scoring three times from mid-range to keep Reyer at arm's length. Balvin dunked with 7 seconds remaining to ensure Prometey led 71-69 entering the fourth quarter.

### The hosts put their foot on the gas

Sanon got the fans off their seats with back-to-back stepback three-pointers on successive offensive possessions for Prometey, 77-71, before Balvin and Agada appeared to give the hosts more breathing room, 84-73. There was a late fightback from Reyer, with Tessitori making it a 4-point ballgame, 86-82, after scoring 4 straight points, but the ever-present Balvin put the win on ice, 87-82, with a free throw. Tkachenko then added the cherry on top of the cake with a mid-range jumper as the game clock ran out.

Tai Odiase of Prometey Slobozhanske scores a basket against Umana Reyer Venice in Round 8 of the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup Regular Season.

After a strong first two and half quarters by the visitors, the hosts found another level to come away with the win.

Prometey goes up a gear to down Reyer, 89-82

Prometey Slobozhanske v Umana Reyer Venice (2023-11-22T17:00:00.000Z)

A high-profile showdown is taking place in Group A, as Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv plays its first "home" game in Belgrade, Serbia against Joventut Badalona.

Hapoel, Joventut meet again in Belgrade

The BKT EuroCup regular season is about to reach its halfway mark. After four games playing on the road, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (4-2) plays [its first home showdown at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall,](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/hapoel-shlomo-tel-aviv-joventut-badalona/U2023/75/) looking to snap a two-game losing streak. Joventut Badalona (3-4) comes off back-to-back home losses but has good news in terms of signings and recovered players.

In [their only EuroCup meeting prior to Wednesday's](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2022-23/joventut-badalona-hapoel-vegan-friendly-tel-aviv/U2022/192/), Joventut eliminated Hapoel in last season's EuroCup Quarterfinals, 82-74, in Badalona. [Vladimir Brodziansky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/vladimir-brodziansky/010458/) and [Ante Tomic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ante-tomic/002507/) paced the winners with 16 points apiece that night. That duo has been sidelined, however, in the last few games and may miss the rematch in Belgrade, too. Before last season, these teams played only twice in their long histories. Joventut beat Hapoel twice in the 1988-89 Korac Cup, 103-89 at home and 77-82 in Tel Aviv.

### Hapoel has been shooting the lights out

Hapoel opened this season with a four-game winning streak, scoring 97 points or more in all of those games. As such, Hapoel now ranks second in scoring (97.0 ppg.) mainly because of its superb three-point marksmanship, having hit 44.8% of all attempts so far from beyond the arc.

2023-34 EuroCup highlights: Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv

As many as five Hapoel players are making 42.0% or more their three-point shots, led by [Tomer Ginat](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tomer-ginat/010550/) (62.5% 3FG). [Jaylen Hoard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/jaylen-hoard/006835/) (57.1%), [Xavier Munford](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/xavier-munford/007759/) (53.1%), [Braian Angola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/braian-angola/010465/) (44.8%) and [Bar Timor](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/bar-timor/004846/) (42.9%) are also shooting the ball really well from downtown.

Hoard has been all over the place this season, ranking second in PIR at 22.7 per night. He is averaging 17.7 points on 76.2% two-pointers, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks. His matchup against a highly experienced opponent like [DeShaun Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/deshaun-thomas/005094/) should be one of the biggest keys to this game.

### Joventut is dealing with injuries

Joventut has been struggling lately with three injured frontcourt players (Tomic, Brodziansky and Miguel Allen) plus five EuroCup games missed by star playmaker [Andres Feliz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/andres-feliz/011247/), who returned to action this weekend. Feliz had a remarkable comeback game in the Spanish League, coming off the bench to get 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 fouls drawn. Above all, he buried a 21-meter prayer at the buzzer give Joventut an 81-78 home win over Bilbao Basket.

Joventut Badalona started the season with a 3-4 record in Group A

2023-24 EuroCup highlights: Joventut Badalona

Joventut also strengthened its frontcourt recently by signing power forward [Tyler Cook](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tyler-calvin-cook/012780/), who is set to make his EuroCup debut in Belgrade. He replaced former Hapoel big man Chinanu Onuaku, who parted ways with Joventut earlier this month. It is Joventut's second mid-season signing: it previously brought in guard [Kenny Chery](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/kenny-chery/009572/), who is averaging 13.0 points off the bench in three EuroCup games.

Teenage center [Ruben Prey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ruben-prey/010708/) stepped up in the last two games, averaging 7.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, proving he is ready to keep seeing quality playing time in the near future.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">📢📣 Així sona l’Olímpic. Així soneu tots els que avui ens heu fet creure en la victòria!<br><br>SOM-HI OLÍMPIC 💚🖤<a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/Badaloma%C3%89sFutur?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>#BadalomaÉsFutur</a> <a href=https://t.co/RhlEygNHzX>pic.twitter.com/RhlEygNHzX</a></p>&mdash; Club Joventut Badalona (@Penya1930) <a href=https://twitter.com/Penya1930/status/1726332677308239999?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>November 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset="utf-8"></script>

### Both teams need better defense

In a game between two very offensive-minded teams, defense could arguably be the biggest key. Both struggled defensively in the last two games. Hapoel allowed 106.0 points in its last two games against Paris Basketball and Prometey Slobozhanske. Hapoel was outrebounded in both games, too, and allowed those opponents to make 35 of 73 three-pointers (47.9%) while combining for 57 assists against just 14 turnovers.

Joventut did not do not better, allowing 94.0 points on average between losses to London Lions and Paris. After giving their opponents 30 offensive rebounds in those two games, boxing out should be a major concern, as well as shooting the ball better from beyond the arc. Joventut shot only 27.9% from downtown in the those two games.

Two quality teams ready to bounce back from recent losses in one of the most famous arenas in Europe. What's not to like?

Two teams with opposing styles play a key game for their mutual aspirations when Ulm visits Aris on Wednesday.

Aris hosts Ulm in a clash of styles

The 2023-24 BKT EuroCup journey continues for Aris Midea Thessaloniki (3-4) and ratiopharm Ulm (5-2) on Wednesday night [when the two teams engage in their Group B clash](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/game-center/2023-24/aris-midea-thessaloniki-ratiopharm-ulm/U2023/80/), a first ever between them. The differences between the two clubs are many, with Aris playing in its first EuroCup campaign after a seven-year hiatus, while Ulm is playing its ninth straight season in the competition.

Even starker is the contrast in styles of play between the two sides.

Aris is struggling offensively in its EuroCup return. Through seven rounds, it ranks dead last in three paramount offensive categories: scoring (68.1 ppg.), assists (11.9) and three-point accuracy (27.1% ). Ulm, on the other hand, scores 20 points more per game (88.4) and nearly 10 assists more (21.3) while making triples at a 39.2% rate. Ulm ranks fourth in each of those categories.

So, how does Aris have just two wins fewer than Ulm? Thanks to its defense.

Aris allows a EuroCup-low 70.1 points to its opponents, and that number has dropped to 65.0 over the last five games, during which Aris has a 3-2 record. Four of those five games have finished by a margin of 7 points or fewer, with three contests decided by exactly 2 points.

Aris also forces a league-best 17.6 turnovers while holding opposing two-point shooters to second-lowest 47.6% accuracy and three-point shooters to third-lowest 31.4% accuracy..

The turning point for Aris might have been the arrival of Kris Bankston, who has posted 10.5 point and 5.0 rebounds in four games since joining Aris, while bringing an abundance of energy into the paint.

Ulm is far less committed to its defense but has as many as five players averaging more than 2.0 assists per game, including Juan Nunez (5.4), Georginho De Paula (4.9) and big man Trevion Williams (3.5).

Perhaps as a product of such divergent styles, the games of these two teams tend to end in different ways.

While Aris has played several nail-biters, especially in recent weeks, six of Ulm's seven games this season have finished by double-digit margins. Ulm, for instance has a +25 cumulative point-difference for the season despite suffering a 29-point loss at Dreamland Gran Canaria.

But Ulm has won just one of three road games, the same as the record of Aris at home, where the Thessaloniki fans are famous for the atmosphere they create.

With this one being played in front of the loud and passionate support of those Aris fans, the home team will give its all to win and climb back to an even record. For Ulm, it first-ever visit to Thessaloniki will be a great test, one that if passed successfully will be a significant step toward its playoff ambitions at the halfway point of the regular season.

Aris Midea Thessaloniki v ratiopharm Ulm (2023-11-22T18:00:00.000Z)

Yoan Makoundou and Andrija Grbovic both shined in Coach Zakelj's debut.

Young guns, new coach give Buducnost win

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica entered Round 8 of the BKT EuroCup Regular Season on a four-game losing streak and a new coach, Andrej Zakelj, set to make his EuroCup debut. Coach Zakelj led Buducnost to a hard-fought 98-96 home victory.

Despite trailing most of the way, Buducnost found the way to send the game to overtime and win it down the stretch.

"First of all, I am very happy for the guys. It is a tough period for them: no matter the quality, it is not easy to lose a few games in a row and having to win," Coach Zakelj said after the game. "This is my first game and I have been here for one day, so there is a lot of work in front of us. They have to be positive and work further."

Buducnost fans could see hints of what Coach Zakelj wants to bring to the table. Two of the team's youngest players stepped up big and played major roles in this victory.

[Yoan Makoundou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/yoan-makoundou/011935/) was all over the place against Trento, posting new career highs of 23 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots for a PIR of 33. He shot the ball well, making 4-of-5 two-pointers and 5-of-7 three-pointers. What mattered most, however, were not the numbers Makoundou posted against Trento, but the way he played when the game was on the line.

Yoan Makoundou was all over the place against Trento, posting new career highs of 23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocked shots and a PIR of 33.

Makoundou has career night against Trento

Makoundou scored a three-pointer to give Buducnost an 83-82 lead with a minute left. Once the game went to overtime, Makoundou stopped the show with an outstanding one-handed put-back slam that gave his team a 98-92 lead with 1:12 remaining. Even though Trento kept its chances open until the final second, Makoundou was among the biggest reasons Buducnost turned things around.

"We lost the game due to a crazy game by Makoundou, who scored 5 threes and 4 \[of them\] in a row," Trento head coach Paolo Galbiati said after the game. "That's basketball."

[Andrija Grbovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/andrija-grbovic/009214/) also made the most of his playing time. He just needed a couple of minutes to draw a foul on a dunk attempt, make both free throw attempts and bury back-to-back three-pointers. He finished the game with 10 points, no missed shots, 3 fouls drawn and a PIR of 11 in less than 11 minutes. Grbovic, a 20-year-old power forward, averaged 3.6 points and a PIR of 3.0 before this game.

Buducnost is back on track and has an opportunity to show its improvements in perhaps the most difficult game it will play in Group B: on the road against defending champion Dreamland Gran Canaria next Wednesday.

Buducnost VOLI Podgorica v Dolomiti Energia Trento (2023-11-21T18:00:00.000Z)

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul put its stingy defense on display in shutting down the No. 1 offense in the BKT EuroCup and defeating Paris Basketball on Tuesday.

Bestiktas's win over Paris was a tale of defense over offense 

The old adage in sports goes: offense wins games but defense wins championships. Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul put its stingy defense on display in shutting down the No. 1 offense in the BKT EuroCup and defeating Paris Basketball.

Besiktas fought back from 12 points down and limited the vaunted Paris attack to 23 second-half points in a 63-68 victory, which was also the French side’s first loss.

Paris came into the game averaging a league-high 101.1 points and a top-ranked performance index rating of 120.7. Coach Tuomas Iisalo’s team had topped the century mark five times in seven games. Its season low in scoring was 81 points against Umana Reyer Venice.

Unfortunately for Paris, Besiktas entered the game with a pretty strong defense, conceding only 73.9 points per game - the fourth-fewest in the competition.

“When you keep this team to (63) points at home - the best offensive team which is averaging more than 100 points per game - this is really something. This is a team win. Congratulations to my players They really made a big sacrifice for this team win,” said Besiktas head coach Dusan Alimpijevic.

Paris managed a PIR of just 68 while converting only 34.3% on two-pointers - drastically lower than its average shooting of 58.7% coming into the game. Paris also registered just 7 assists - 13.9 fewer than its average - and committed 13 turnovers - 3.7 more than its league fewest 9.3 entering the game.

The result leaves Paris at 7-1 and Besiktas with a 6-2 record in an extremely difficult Group A. That fact was not lost on Alimpijevic.

“Our group is very difficult and very tough. We have a lot of candidates in the group to win the EuroCup without disrespecting the other group,” the coach said. “In our group, every win is so important.”

The win was also very important for Besiktas as the team was coming off an 80-83 home loss to London Lions last week.

“This is something to be very proud about. But this just shows the work we put in this week, and a lot of concentration,” said Matt Mitchell, who scored a team-high 16 points for Besiktas.

“Coming back off that loss to London last week - trying to show something for that. Just knowing that we can compete with the best of these teams in this league. And we feel we are one of the best teams in this league. We came out here and showed that.”

With one of the best defenses in the league.

On the road in the French capital, Besiktas hounded the EuroCup's top-ranked attack. 

Paris Basketball v Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (2023-11-21T20:00:00.000Z)

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul showed its class in the BKT EuroCup by slowing down Paris Basketball 63-68 on the road to hand the French side its first loss in the competition. 

Besiktas slows down Paris, 63-68, hands Group A leader first loss 

Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul showed its class in the BKT EuroCup by slowing down Paris Basketball 63-68 on the road to hand the French side its first loss in the competition. Besiktas came back from 12 points down and used its stellar defense to hold Paris to just 23 second-half points to improve to 6-2. Matt Mitchell led the way with 16 points and Yigit Arslan had 15 points. Paris dropped to 7-1 and tasted defeat for the first time despite TJ Shorts scoring 22 points and Nadir Hifi picking up 19 points.

Besiktas needed more than 2 minutes to finally score but gave up only 2 points to the hosts. It was still only 4-3 after 4 minutes as neither side could really find any offensive rhythm. Leyton Hammonds’s second score put Besiktas ahead 4-7 as Paris was held scoreless for more than 2 minutes, and the score went to 5-9. Five quick points from Hifi put Paris back ahead and started a run of four lead changes. Sebastian Herrera had a three-point play in building an 18-13 cushion. It was 20-15 after 10 minutes. 

### Hifi helps Paris build a promising lead

Leon Kratzer hit a hook shot and the advantage grew to 23-15. Derek Needham responded with back-to-back triples to bring the guests within 25-21 but the Besiktas veteran point guard was called for his third foul. Shorts punched back with free throws and a three-pointer as Paris went up 30-21. Besiktas temporarily shut down Paris with 4 straight points over nearly 3 minutes to trim the gap. Hifi answered with 2 three-pointers and Paris took its first double-digit lead at 38-27. Paris went into the locker room ahead 40-31.

### Arslan leads Besiktas comeback

Shorts extended the lead to 12 points - 44-32 - early in the third quarter. The home side has been known all season for its offense but Paris limited Besiktas to just 3 points in the first 6 minutes of the second half and led 46-35. Besiktas refused to go away with Arslan hitting 2 three-pointers and Mitchell making 6 free throws in a 2-12 run over the final 6:23 minutes of the third quarter to pull within 48-47.

###  Visitors take control late

Mitchell started the fourth quarter with a three-point play to put Besiktas back ahead 48-50. Shorts stepped up for Paris with an and-one of his own and the hosts led 53-52. Arslan answered with a runner and three-pointer and Besiktas went up 53-59. Bandja Sy knocked down a triple and Paris was within 58-59 only to have Needham bury another triple and Angel Delgado made it 58-64. Hifi and Collin Malcolm scored as Paris trimmed it to a 1-point game. Arslan continued his outstanding second half with 2 free throws as Besiktas held a 63-66 advantage. Tyson Ward missed a three-pointer with 45 seconds remaining and Mitchell drained 2 more foul shots for a 63-68 Besiktas cushion with 24 seconds to go to ice the game.

The visitors trailed by 12 in the third quarter before roaring back. 