By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Romania champion U-BT Cluj Napoca edged Unicaja, 79-73, launching its run in Basketball Champions League Round of 16 Group K Tuesday.
Former USC small forward Elijah Stewart drew up a game-high 26 points behind 8/15 field goals, including 7/9 two-pointers. In addition, he tallied three rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks as the team located in Cluj-Napoca resumed the successful campaign in FIBA’s top European club continental competition after wrapping up Regular Season Group G one month ago.
Perfect from the field connecting all of his six attempts, BCL December MVP Brandon Brown added 15 points. Cuban Karel Guzman threw in ten more points dealing with foul trouble.
The team coached by Fotis Katsikaris led for just nine seconds. After digging its way out of an early 13-point hole, the second comeback bid fell short. Big man Micheal Eric suffering a knee injury midway through the third quarter certainly did not help. The Nigerian center exited with five points, seven rebounds, and five blocks to his name.
Newcomer Devin Williams was not available. Tim Abromaitis and Alberto Diaz were out as well for the hosts returning to action after remaining idle since January 9.
Hometown shooting guard and former UNC Greensboro standout Francisco Alonso registered a team-high 17 points in the losing effort. Axel Bouteille followed with 16 points but was held to two points in the last quarter.
Mihai Silvasan’s side, carrying a 15-0 record in Romania’s Liga Nationala, was part of the 2021 Champions League Qualifiers. It has since prevailed in nine of its ten Champions League showings. Hapoel U-NET Holon delivered the lone loss of the 2021-22 campaign back in November.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League