Canadians In Europe: October 7th - 10th

This week in Europe Canadian players features prominently in some of the very best games in the still-young Euroleague and EuroCup competitions.

Euroleague

Efes Istanbul had the early lead before Fenerbahce took control and powered ahead in the second quarter. 24 points from Krunsolav Simon would not be enough for Efes to take back the advantage. Dyshawn Pierre had just one point for Fenerbahce, but was the leading defensive rebounder with eight and finished with nine total boards. Fenerbahce top the Euroleague standings after winning this one 80-71.

Kevin Pangos was hitting early and often from close range for Zenit Saint Petersburg, who found themselves in a close-fought encounter with Barcelona. Alex Abrines and Nikola Mirotic did the most to keep Barcelona in front throughout the first half. Pangos was key in keeping Zenit in touching distance of their Spanish visitors and making decisive free-throws down the stretch after an 8-0 run from KC Rivers to seal the result. Zenit win their second straight game by four points.

EuroCup

Thomas Scrubb was second on JL Bourg-en-Bresse with 15 points - behind game leader Danilo Andjusic leader with 18 - in an impressive shooting show where both teams made over 50% of their field goal attempts. Unfortunately for them, Joventut's front court unit were dominant on the road with Conor Morgan contributing 8 points in their first win of the season, 84-77.

Elsewhere Melvin Ejim scored 16 points and was perfect from three point territory for Buducnost Podorgica, who led their hosts Bolounge Metropolitans from beginning to end. The French team had four players in double digits but Buducnost were superior both on offence and defence and topped Group B with an 89-83 victory.

The highlight game of the whole week saw Kenny Cherry playing a vital role for Brescia. The Italian club found themselves evenly matched against Ulm after a back-and-forth first half, Cherry gave them their first lead in the second half before Andreas Obst erupted for 11 points to restore the lead for Ulm.

Cherry cut the gap from five two in the fourth quarter, both sides hitting their last chances of the game sent it to overtime. Ulm had the lead with just over a minute left in the extra period before Christian Burns made two successive game-winning moves for Brescia. Cherry had 17 points and Burns scored 16 off bench in a dramatic 87-84 OT win, Brescia's first of the season.