Petar Bozic's side stayed in contention for a bye in the first knockout round of the playoffs with an impressive win.
London Lions rip apart Besiktas, 93-72, to boost top-two hopes
Game Report
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 16 of 18
Regular Season
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London LionsLDN
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Besiktas Emlakjet IstanbulBJK
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Overview
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The London Lions (11-5) celebrated an emphatic 93-72 home win over Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (9-7) and remained on course to clinch a top-two finish in Group A of the BKT EuroCup.
With Paris Basketball (15-1) assured of the top spot in the group, the Lions are tied with Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (11-5) and ahead of fourth-placed Joventut Badalona (10-6) in a three-way battle to finish second, which earns direct qualification for the quarterfinals.
The outstanding Matt Morgan paced London with a game-high 20 points, while Donte Gratham, David Nwaba and Gabe Olaseni chipped in with 12 each for the home side. Tarik Phillip added 10 points, underlining London’s balanced workload which saw the Lions dish out 23 assists to Besiktas’s 12.
At the other end, Matthew Mitchell led Besiktas with 16 points, Kyle Allman netted 12 while Derek Needham and Angel Delgado scored 10 each.
Game Videos
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/65290f13-574b-4d2f-a94d-85e9810e1bda.jpg]()
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana-Besiktas Fibabank Istabul | Eighthfinals Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:16
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a78b4bef-79cc-4c50-b89a-02227b042660.jpg?crop=1278%3A719%3Anowe%3A36%3A35]()
Plavsic at it again! Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/7ad38cdb-398b-4160-a9c2-d90fb6d805f0.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A136%3A6]()
Plavsic violates the rim! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/9e711822-cc46-4732-867e-4ad0c6a9ed87.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A110%3A25]()
What a dunk from Sleva! Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2af757b7-c254-4be2-b35a-66df03863302.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A77%3A27]()
Allman gets airborne! Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/3491d84f-a9a0-475a-89d5-b89f85cdaeab.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A116%3A62]()
Plavsic with a superb dunk! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/zNU9guWExW4/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Besiktas Fibabank Istanbul-Dolomiti Energia Trento | Round 18 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:08
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2af757b7-c254-4be2-b35a-66df03863302.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A68%3A26]()
Allman dunks on the fly! Magic Moment
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/ef2e2512-09d3-41b8-ad92-3748438545b4.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A81%3A33]()
Terry bends the rim! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/1VxUBOeMcM0/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Dreamland Gran Canaria-Besiktas Fibabank Istanbul | Round 17 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:19
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/6de22b18-14b3-4efc-8686-5e288393a8c1.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A179%3A113]()
Needham finds Plavsic on his back! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/aXny-NciO2M/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Besiktas Fibabank Istanbul-Trefl Sopot | Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a78b4bef-79cc-4c50-b89a-02227b042660.jpg?crop=1276%3A718%3Anowe%3A37%3A36]()
Uros Plavsic powers the alley-oop! Magic Moment
- 00:26
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/3491d84f-a9a0-475a-89d5-b89f85cdaeab.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A147%3A33]()
Plavsic with great vision! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/5cRoYz3jJgw/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Joventut Badalona-Dolomiti Energia Trento | Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/10fbb649-eb46-4a92-97e9-e21f1873b8e7.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A129%3A36]()
Ellis throws it down! Magic Moment
- 00:16
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/4df52dc0-e478-4fd2-b592-3440f967bf43.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A147%3A41]()
Dekker’s reverse dunk! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/409rd09jng8/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Besiktas Fibabank Istanbul-Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius | Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/28d3521e-7321-4992-bb28-97effabe2c50.jpg]()
Joventut Badalona-Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul | Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/27348d34-3430-4175-9b8d-640afe777c27.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A94%3A135]()
Terry throws it down! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a18dc91c-5444-4856-9125-53cf72e9b124.jpg]()
ratiopharm Ulm-Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul | Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/OfuZJh8iqBE/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-7-bet Lietkabelis Panevezys | Round 6 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 01:09
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/12/20/GSKaYuwwiwgpW27tUKPf2nMwT4TPGv0f-1734737393848.jpg]()
Nick Weiler-Babb: 'We needed a big win on the road'
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/ycsDW75misk/maxresdefault.jpg]()
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan-FC Bayern Munich | RS Round 17 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c8632214-443e-4d57-9cb0-077734cd9fdc.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A65%3A132]()
Voigtmann's huge dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:24
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b68c4ffc-ca13-45ac-b870-53bb7df501b9.jpg?crop=1220%3A686%3Anowe%3A35%3A68]()
Booker's alley-oop dunk! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/d9086441-d94f-4a18-859e-8f48a09c9ca0.jpg]()
Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv-Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul | Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/sRktYnJhqu8/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul-Bahcesehir College Istanbul | Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/3k7uWxd2g2w/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica-Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul | Round 10 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/3a5f2d12-0ea8-4619-a8c3-6f8189d77b66.jpg]()
Dolomiti Energia Trento-Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul | Round 9 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5d61e2dc-1a1b-4773-8357-f28d4601c66b.jpg]()
Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul-Dreamland Gran Canaria | Round 8 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:08
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/41ca59e5-314b-445c-b31f-3994f181ffd1.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A135%3A89]()
Terry's steal and dunk! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/lTR8K9M21Fs/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Trefl Sopot-Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul | Round 7 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:08
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a96f69fb-b52a-4a48-a797-a2143de6c983.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A115%3A76]()
Fine dunk by Konan! Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/be724baa-93ef-4749-8bb9-0560fbd5f258.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A120%3A47]()
Great alley-oop by Terry! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/ccf835c5-e06d-4160-a9fe-5d139ef1af71.jpg?crop=1147%3A645%3Anowe%3A106%3A71]()
Sleva's steal and dunk! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/JMVZB8aRRsM/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius-Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul | Round 6 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c6ce91b2-f47c-4cd5-9e86-ccc59c4e2ffa.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A74%3A10]()
Martin to Terry alley-oop! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b6e4d1bf-4916-47de-be48-d1acedfa3e43.jpg]()
Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul-Joventut Badalona | Round 5 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:08
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c6ce91b2-f47c-4cd5-9e86-ccc59c4e2ffa.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A88%3A1]()
What an alley-oop from Terry! Magic Moment
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/bfe41553-71ca-4e31-a3a9-a5d11c1b14c7.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A42%3A45]()
Big dunk from Terry! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/17fac900-fe26-4306-ad51-1afdc4da65d6.jpg]()
Besiktas Fibabank Istanbul-ratiopharm Ulm | Round 4 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:18
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/bfe41553-71ca-4e31-a3a9-a5d11c1b14c7.jpg?crop=1219%3A686%3Anowe%3A9%3A20]()
Terry throws down on Ulm! Magic Moment
- 03:42
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/08/G80QyxGDewhBZqft4tpOpS3ezDRw0iNz-1728422241340.jpg]()
Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul-Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv | Round 3 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:16
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/3bd7f6b9-b1ee-47d3-a048-9ba9811900c3.jpg?crop=1335%3A751%3Anowe%3A0%3A68]()
Terry and Allman at it again! Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c6ce91b2-f47c-4cd5-9e86-ccc59c4e2ffa.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A71%3A19]()
Terry rocks the rim again! Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/89552446-77cf-4c41-bc63-2c612ecd9de3.jpg?crop=1173%3A660%3Anowe%3A42%3A152]()
Terry rocks the rim! Magic Moment
- 00:15
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/57b0220e-332e-4fcb-b317-d60a41c5175d.jpg?crop=1209%3A681%3Anowe%3A6%3A73]()
Allman dunks with some aplomb! Magic Moment
- 03:51
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/01/zP6r23Kt6vWtm13UVtFAtUGFlUOoi6Io-1727806806488.jpg]()
Bahcesehir College Istanbul-Besiktas Fibabank Istanbul | Round 2 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a4538db7-1b34-4de3-83e3-9fb6fb8581c7.jpg?crop=1793%3A1009%3Anowe%3A30%3A17]()
Magic Moment: Emanuel Terry with another big dunk!
Besiktas dominated the offensive boards 19-4 but scored preciously few second-chance points, shooting 7-of-31 from downtown and 18-of-43 from two-point territory against a mobile and aggressive London defense.
Roared on by a sizeable contingent of fervent Turkish fans inside Copper Box Arena, the visitors made a bright start and took an early 0-6 lead, having felt almost at home by the support. That was as good as it got for Besiktas, however, as Luke Nelson’s fadeaway jumper at the buzzer gave the home team its first lead, 18-17, at the end of the first quarter.
The Lions found another gear in the second and carved out a 47-33 halftime advantage, having stifled out the visiting team’s offense thanks to relentless work in their own half. Aggressive half-court pressure forced Besiktas to take a barrage of tough shots, while London pierced through at the other end with a quick transition of the ball.
Besiktas conjured a 1-10 streak early in the third to slash London’s lead to 50-44, but it turned out to be a flash in the pan as the hosts replied with a 9-0 run and stayed firmly in control. Having trailed 68-50 at the end of the third quarter, Besiktas launched another onslaught early in the fourth and closed in to 69-60, but London held firm again.
It was lights out for Besiktas after Morgan made a four-point play, drawing a foul as he sank a deep three-pointer to give the Lions an 89-67 lead in the closing stages and spark celebrations among the outnumbered home faithful. With the visiting fans subdued, much like their team, the Londoners had plenty to cheer about after a majestic display by the Lions in an electrifying atmosphere.
