Caledonia beat reigning champions; Gottingen lead victorious German trio

MUNICH (Germany) – Caledonia Gladiators sent a strong message and Legia Warszawa showcased their offensive firepower on a busy night of action in the 2023-24 FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season. 

The British side were one of 10 teams to improve to 2-0 through two weeks with a number of sides still waiting to get off the mark.

Key Storylines

- Caledonia topple champions Anwil

- Oradea come away with win despite Sibande’s 36

- Legia Warszawa hit 16 three-pointers in win at Levice

Caledonia Gladiators defeated Anwil Wloclawek 66-63 to remain unbeaten in Group B thanks to 16 points and 8 rebounds from Clifton Moore. Last season’s champions now worryingly fall to 0-2, despite a near double-double of 16 points and 9 rebounds by Tanner Groves in the loss.

Meanwhile, it was a successful night for sides from Germany as all three representatives tasted victory. BG Gottingen enjoyed an impressive 91-79 triumph at Itelyum Varese with Rostock Seawolves beating Karhu Basket 93-65 and NINERS Chemnitz overcoming PGE Spojnia Stargard 84-66 on the road.

CSM CSU Oradea secured their first win of the campaign as they withstood a scoring masterclass from Kataja Basket’s Nike Sibande to win 87-73. Sibande scored 36 points for the Finnish side, but it wasn’t enough as 18 points and 9 from Donatas Tarolis along with 13 points and 11 assists Erick Neal paved the way for the visitors.

Legia Warszawa caught fire and never put it out as they hit 16 triples, en route to beating 86-77 on the road to Patrioti Levice. Christian Vital led five players in double figures for the hosts with 17 points including going 4-for-5 from three-point land in the win.

An exciting round of action began on Tuesday as FC Porto used a big first quarter to beat Bakken Bears 89-78 thanks to 20 points from Anthony Barber as they improved to 2-0 in Group E.

Highs

Efficiency: 37 - Jay Jay Chandler (KB Peja), Willie Cauley-Stein (Itelyum Varese)
Points: 36 - Nike Sibande (Kataja Basket)
Rebounds: 20 - Willie Cauley-Stein (Itelyum Varese)
Assists: 13 - Christopher Carter (Rostock Seawolves)
Steals: 4 - Rati Andronikashvili (BC TSU Tbilisi), Nathan Laszewski (BC Kalev/Cramo)
Blocks: 4 - Giorgi Turdziladze (BC TSU Tbilisi)

Wednesday, October 25

Group A: Arconic-Alba Fehrvar 78-88 Balkan Botevgrad
Group B: Surne Bilbao Basket 89-64 BC CSU Sibiu; Caledonia Gladiators 66-63 Anwil Wloclawek
Group C: Jonava CBet 80-87 Petrolina AEK; Rostock Seawolves 93-65 Karhu Basket
Group D: Sabah BC 65-83 Bahcesehir College; ERA Nymburk 78-62 KK Mornar
Group E: Manisa BBSK 79-52 Norrkoping Dolphins
Group F: BC Kalev/Cramo 76-70 Happy Casa Brindisi
Group G: BC Trepca 54-84 ZZ Leiden
Group H: PGE Spojnia 66-84 Niners Chemnitz; KB Peja 99-84 Heroes Den Bosch
Group I: BCTSU Tbilisi 63-60 Keravnos BC; Itelyum Varese 79-91 BG Gottingen
Group J: Kataja Basket 73-87 CSM CSU Oradea; Patrioti Levice 77-86 Legia Warszawa

Tuesday, October 24

Group E: FC Porto 89-78 Bakken Bears

 FIBA