Name: Bahcesehir College Istanbul-Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv | Round 7 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

Bahcesehir College Istanbul-Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv | Round 7 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup   

Bahcesehir College Istanbul v Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (2024-11-05T19:00:00.000Z)

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul ultimately made light work of its 79-100 win at Trefl Sopot after setting a club record of 32 points in the first quarter, before holding the Polish team to a mere 5 in the fourth to keep its postseason bid going strong.

High-scoring Besiktas fired on all cylinders against hapless Trefl

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul ultimately made light work of its 79-100 win at Trefl Sopot after setting a club record of 32 points in the first quarter, before holding the Polish team to a mere 5 in the fourth to keep its postseason bid going strong.

Besiktas was lethal from deep in the first half and made 8 of 13 shots from downtown, finishing on 14-of-29 shooting as the Turkish side also sank 21 of 37 from two-point territory and 16 of 17 from the foul line.

The visiting team’s utter dominance in all departments was also illustrated by 26 assists and 11 offensive boards, 8 of which came in the second half as Besiktas romped away in the fourth quarter when it held the home team to a mere 5 points.

Game Videos

Alongside four visiting players scoring in double figures, led by Jonah Mathews who poured a game-high 21 points, big man Emanuel Terry stuffed the stat sheet with 8 points and as many rebounds to go with 5 assists.

His contribution underlined a flowing team effort which left Besiktas head Dusan Alimpijevic coach purring with delight: “I am very happy because we kept them down to only 28 points in the second half, when we also improved our desire to go for offensive rebounds,” Alimpijevic said in his post-game comments. “We totally changed our defensive approach while the offense was already there. It was a good game."

Game News

In contrast, it was another difficult evening for Sopot’s Croatian head coach Zan Tabak, who faces the formidable task of turning around his team’s fortunes.

“We played against a stronger team but towards the end of the game, we just gave up,” he said. “We now have to try to lift the team in the next few days for the upcoming games.”

In the next round, Besiktas is at home to the competition’s 2023 winner Dreamland Gran Canaria while Trefl entertains Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv in an effort to chalk up its first EuroCup win of the season. 

The Turkish side broke its first-quarter scoring record in the EuroCup and then closed shop in the fourth

Trefl Sopot v Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul (2024-11-05T18:00:00.000Z)

Tai Odiase caps a great night with a super slam to seal the win!

Odiase slams it down! Magic Moment of the Night

 Tai Odiase caps a great night with a super slam to seal the win!

Bahcesehir College Istanbul grabbed a key win by overcoming direct rival Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv 90-82 in a game relocated to Belgrade

Bahcesehir stays atop Group A by downing Hapoel, 90-82

Bahcesehir College Istanbul grabbed a key win by overcoming direct rival Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv 90-82 in a game relocated to Belgrade. The Turkish team stayed atop of Group A at 7-1, while Hapoel dropped to 4-3.

A closely contested first half was followed by Bahcesehir slowly pulling away, establishing a double-digit lead early in the fourth which eventually proved decisive. 

Jaleen Smith came close to a EuroCup record with 15 assists, while Seamus Hazer scored a career-high 23 points. Tai Odiase added 19 and Tyler Cavanaugh had a double-double of 12 points plus 10 rebounds, while Mateusz Ponitka scored 14 and Marko Simonovic netted 13. Patrick Beverley led Hapoel with 18 points and 8 assists, and Marcus Foster scored 15.

Both teams found fluent offense in the opening exchanges, with Bruno Caboclo and Odiase throwing down fierce dunks while Ish Wainright and Cavanaugh traded three-pointers. Beverley’s driving basket got Hapoel in front, 11-13, and Bar Timor protected the lead from long-range. Hazer’s determined layup and Simonovic’s hook shot tied it up, and Simonovic added free throws for a 22-20 lead after 10 minutes.

Ponitka started the second quarter with a brutal dunk before Caboclo’s tip-in ended Hapoel’s three-minute scoring drought. Hazer and Foster scored tough close-range baskets, keeping the hosts ahead at 29-25. Beverley’s triple followed by Wainright’s layup-and-one saw Hapoel move ahead before Axel Bouteille and Beverley both made tough shots. Foster scored 4 points in a row, including a high-flying alley-oop, and Hazer and Beverley traded triples. Tomer Ginat ended the half in style, beating the buzzer for a 38-44 lead.

The second half started with a Beverley triple, but Odiase’s three-point play sparked a big Bahcesehir fightback. Bouteille scored at the rim, Odiase netted again and Hazer was on target from long- and close-range for a 12-2 run and a 52-49 lead. Foster and Bouteille traded triples, and Odiase kept on rolling with another three-point play for a 60-54 advantage. Beverley hit his fourth triple, before Ponitka and Joe Ragland both netted two and three-pointers to make it 68-64 with 10 minutes left.

Another Hazer triple and Simonovic’s dunk pulled Bahcesehir further clear, and Ponitka was also on target from deep for a 76-64 lead. Deep strikes from Ginat and Caboclo gave Hapoel hope, and Ginat’s layup completed a 0-8 run for a 76-72 score. But Ponitka scored twice to reassert Bahcesehir, and close-range baskets for Cavanaugh and Odiase secured the win as Hapoel could only score free throws in the closing 5 minutes.

Jaleen Smith and Sehmus Hazer put up the big numbers for the winners

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul improved to 4-3 in Group A of the BTK EuroCup after blistering shooting from deep helped it to a 79-100 road win over Trefl Sopot in Round 7. 

Besiktas shines from long range to thrash Trefl Sopot

Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul improved to 4-3 in Group A of the BTK EuroCup after blistering shooting from deep helped it to a 79-100 road win over Trefl Sopot in Round 7.

Jonah Mathews led the charge with a game-high 21 points. Yigit Arslan added 19 points while Conor Morgan and Dustin Sleva chipped in with 11 apiece for the visitors, who found an extra gear in the last few minutes to break Sopot down after leading for the lion’s share of the contest.

Trefl, which is still winless as the Polish outfit dropped to 0-7, was paced by Andy van Vleet who had 15 points. Robert McGowens scored 15, Aaron Best amassed 12 and Mikolaj Witllinski netted 11, but the supporting cast was well short of the requirements for the home team to register its first win of the season in the competition.

Trefl made a promising start as the hosts raced into a 6-2 lead, but they nosed ahead for the last time in the game, 17-16, before a 4-16 run by Besiktas turned the tide for good. The visitors were 25-32 ahead at the end of the first quarter.

Although Sopot fought hard to slash the deficit, the Turkish team led 33-45 midway through the second quarter before the home side managed to close the gap to 51-57 at halftime.  

Besiktas thrived from deep as it made 8 of 13 shots from downtown in the opening two quarters and the visiting team carried on in the second half where it left off in the first, with Mathews scoring its first 7 points after the break.

Still, stubborn Sopot kept coming and soon closed in to 72-75 late in the third quarter before a Besiktas blitz lifted the visitors to 74-81 ahead of the final 10 minutes.

The fourth quarter was one-way traffic as Besiktas, which was 78-86 in front midway through the final period, beefed up its defense and raced clear on the back of a 1-14 streak in the last few minutes to celebrate an emphatic victory over its beleaguered rival.

The visitors shot the lights out and kept their feet on the gas in the fourth quarter

Besiktas shines from long range to thrash Trefl

Trefl Sopot-Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul | Round 7 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup   

Jaleen Smith’s great pass allows Marko Simonovic to dunk it hard!

Smith assists, Simonovic slams! Magic Moment

 Jaleen Smith’s great pass allows Marko Simonovic to dunk it hard!

Ugurlu drives through ad dishes it out to Konan for a two-handed Slam!

Fine dunk by Konan! Magic Moment

Arslan dishes it out to Terry for a spectacular alley oop

Great alley-oop by Terry! Magic Moment

 Arslan dishes it out to Terry for a spectacular alley oop

Tomer Ginat races through to beat the halftime buzzer by milliseconds!

Ginat beats the buzzer! Magic Moment

Ante Tomic finds space before dealing the superb assist to Pep Busquets.

Tomic drops the dime! Magic Moment

Dolomiti Energia Trento v Joventut Badalona (2024-11-05T19:00:00.000Z)

Mateusz Ponitka drives to throw down a high-flying slam

 Ponitka drives for high-flying slam! Magic Moment 

 Mateusz Ponitka drives to throw down a high-flying slam

Sleva steals the ball then with a simple give and go with Martin finishes with a two-handed slam!

 Sleva's steal and dunk! Magic Moment 

 Sleva steals the ball then with a simple give and go with Martin finishes with a two-handed slam!

Pustovyi drives the baseline to finish with a huge slam!

Pustovyi slams it home! Magic Moment

 Pustovyi drives the baseline to finish with a huge slam!

EuroLeague & Friends is back with its second episode of the season featuring Shani Blatt, Vasiliki Karamouza, Lona Jackson and Lisa Ramunschkat

EuroLeague & Friends: Episode 2 is here!

EuroLeague & Friends is back with its second episode of the season! A brand new podcast by Euroleague Basketball, EuroLeague & Friends is about nine contributors from nine different countries that host EuroLeague teams giving their audience a different perspective on the league and its community. This week on board we have four contributors to debate and share their insights on their respective countries and teams: [Shani Blatt](https://www.instagram.com/shaniblatt/?hl=en), [Vasiliki Karamouza](https://www.instagram.com/vasiliki_karamouza/?hl=en), [Lona Jackson](https://www.instagram.com/lonajackson_/?hl=en) and [Lisa Ramuschkat](https://www.instagram.com/lisa_ramuschkat/?hl=en), all appearing in EuroLeague & Friends for the first time this season!

After the introductions, there was a first debate about Kevin Punter, the MVP of the Month. The episode was recorded at the time of the announcement, so Shani surprised her co-hosts with the final decision. Lona opened the debate about Paris Basketball's great start to the season and the vibe around the team, led by T.J. Shorts and Nadir Hifi. Shani introduced a new topic about Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Saben Lee's outstanding start of the season and how the team can improve when injured players return to the team.

Lisa opened the floor about FC Bayern Munich and its strong start, 5-2 overall and undefeated at SAP Arena. After finding out what's going on in Munich, Vasiliki spoke about the Rivalry Series Game of the Week, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Olympiacos Piraeus, asking the other contributors to share their points of view. The final topic of discussion was the most surprising players so far. Enjoy this fresh take on the EuroLeague from EuroLeague & Friends.

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague was full of vicious stops so far this season! Check out the best blocks of October!

Top 10 Blocks | October | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

The thoughts of everyone at Euroleague Basketball are with all of those affected by the floods and the dreadful consequences in the Valencian Community and surrounding areas. Many people have tragically lost their lives as a result of the floods, and the devastation caused is going to have long-lasting effects for thousands upon thousands of people. You can donate to OXFAM by clicking the link HERE.

Donate now to support those affected in Valencia after devastating floods

Last week, the Valencian Community and neighboring provinces were hit hard after torrential rain caused flash floods, causing tons and tons of damage and forcing many people to abandon their homes.

The thoughts of everyone at Euroleague Basketball are with all of those affected by the floods and the dreadful consequences. Many people have tragically lost their lives as a result of the floods, and the devastation caused is going to have long-lasting effects for thousands upon thousands of people.

Euroleague Basketball would like to encourage individuals to support those in the Valencian Community and neighboring provinces by cooperating with OXFAM, a charity helping to care for the affected groups in the area.

You can donate to OXFAM by clicking the link [HERE](https://www.oxfamintermon.org/es/emergencia/personas-vulnerables-afectadas-dana).

Alternatively, you can donate by making a bank transfer to the account provided by Oxfam: ES0400810200290004543767.

If you reside in Spain, you can do a BIZUM to 08033 or send an SMS with the word “AYUDA” to 28018.

### About OXFAM

Oxfam is a global movement of people who are fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice. Across regions, from the local to the global, OXFAM works with people to bring change that lasts. Its work is grounded in the commitment to the universality of human rights. Driven by diversity and founding their asks in evidence and experience, OXFAM takes sides against poverty and injustice everywhere. 

Bahcesehir and Hapoel Tel Aviv, two of the leading contenders to win the EuroCup, go head to head in Round 7 on Tuesday night.

Bahcesehir hosts Hapoel in high-profile showdown

A big basketball battle is expected in Group A on Tuesday night as Bahcesehir College Istanbul (5-1) takes on Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv (4-2) at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade, Serbia. Entering this contest, Bahcesehir has won its last three games while Hapoel has lost just one of its last five showdowns. 

The two squads have confirmed their status as title contenders so far this season. Bahcesehir is back in the EuroCup after its first experience in the 2020-21 campaign that did not go too well. With experienced players like [Mateusz Ponitka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/mateusz-ponitka/004172/), [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/jaleen-smith/011192/), [Tyler Cavanaugh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tyler-cavanaugh/009601/) and [Axel Bouteille](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/axel-bouteille/003840/), things were meant to be different. 

It is defense, however, which is setting Bahcesehir apart from the other teams in Group A. Coach Dejan Radonjic's team statistically has the best defense in the competition, allowing just 68.8 points per night. That is over 7.0 points better than any other team in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup; Turk Telekom Ankara ranks second on that list, allowing just 76.0 points per game. 

Bahcesehir has been protecting its paint at an elite level, allowing opponents to hit just a league-low 48.5% of its two-point shots, and teams are not doing much better from downtown (32.1% 3FG). Despite so many misses, Bahcesehir only allows 10.3 offensive rebounds per night, getting 25.0 defensive boards. Only 29.2% of all rebounds under its rim end up in their rivals' hands. 

One can think Bahcesehir allows fewer points because of the game pace. Numbers should prove critics wrong, as Coach Radonjic's team ranks fifth in scoring at 85.2 per game. Excellent defense leads to a very efficient offense, as Bahcesehir ranks first overall in three-point shooting (41.4%) and has an excellent 1.50 assist-to-turnover ratio. 

Bahcesehir College Istanbul ranks first overall in three-point shooting (41.4%).

Bahcesehir: effective from beyond the arc

Four of its players are shooting over 45.0% from beyond the arc. [Marko Simonovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marko-simonovic/012711/) (57.1% 3FG) ranks seventh overall, then Bouteille (46.4%), Cavanaugh (46.2%) and Ponitka (45.5%) also being deadly from three-point territory. 

No team has scored over 75 points against Bahcesehir this season, but Hapoel is definitely a good candidate to do so given its very talented roster. 

Hapoel averages 84.8 points this season, boosting that number to 90.3 points in its four wins until now. It ranks second in assists (20.2 apg.) with a slightly better assist-to-turnover ratio than its opponent, 1.53. It is also fourth in steals at 8.2 per night, with [Patrick Beverley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/patrick-beverley/001927/) leading the competition at 2.2 per night. 

Hapoel Tel Aviv Top Steals of the 2024-25 Regular Season

Hapoel's steals make the difference

Boxing out should be an issue for Hapoel as it faces the best offensive rebounding team in the competition. Bahcesehir leads the standings at 12.7 offensive boards per night, way ahead of Hapoel, which ranks 17th at just 9.7 per game. This is partly because Hapoel barely misses shots inside the arc, leading the competition with a 62.6% two-point percentage. 

[Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/johnathan-motley/011157/) leads the EuroCup in two-point shots made (6.3 per night) with a really solid percentage (66.7%). With his future and status uncertain, Motley – if available – is set to test his strengths against a top-class defender like [Tai Odiase](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/tai-odiase/011823/). Other players with really high numbers inside the arc are [Marcus Foster](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/marcus-franklee-foster/010386/) (74.1% 2FG), [Joe Ragland](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/joe-ragland/005181/) (68.8%) and [Tomer Ginat](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/tomer-ginat/010550/) (68.6%), giving Hapoel head coach Stefanos Dedas plenty of scoring options everywhere. 

Hapoel has players that have nor performed to their full potential, such as [Bruno Caboclo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/bruno-caboclo/012096/) (8.0 ppg.), [Ish Wainwright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/ishmail-carzell-wainright/013284/) (6.5 ppg.) and Ragland (5.7 ppg.), and it only seems a matter of time before all of them step up and make their team an even tougher opponent. There is plenty of room for improvement, and going against the group's leader should be an extra motivation. 

Both teams had impressive performances until now, playing very different basketball brand, and go against each other in this amazing showdown. Expect nothing but a great basketball game on EuroLeague TV from 20:00 CET to find out.

Both teams have started strong in Group A and come into this game in good form