MIES (Switzerland) - Six teams remain perfect after three gamedays in Season 9 of the Basketball Champions League, dubbed Ode to Basketball. Meanwhile, there's a three-way tie at the top of Group F.
Rytas Vilnius 103-83 Falco-Vulcano Szombathely
The Hungarian champs looked impressive through the first two gamedays, and took their 2-0 record to Vilnius hoping they could stun the hosts in front of a capacity crowd at Twinsbet Arena.
However, the Lithuanian champions decided that was the perfect setting to send out a message. Rytas Vilnius led from start to finish, never allowing Szombathely to make it a close contest, and opened a 23-point lead in the fourth to receive a standing ovation from their fans.
Coach Giedrius Zibenas saw 10 different scorers on his roster, led by RJ Cole with 19 points and 8 assists. Steven Enoch dunked his way to 18 points, while Jayvon Graves scored 12 of his 15 in the first half alone.
Savion Flagg had 12 points, and Azuolas Tubelis was also in double digits with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Zoltan Perl was his usual self for Falco, putting up 23 points off the bench, but it was not enough to keep his team perfect.
Instead, there is now a three-way tie at 2-1 in this group between Rytas, Szombathely and Pallacanestro Reggiana, each two wins clear of WKS Slask Wroclaw.
Kolossos H Hotels 59-71 Karsiyaka
It lasted a massive 13 games, but Karsiyaka finally ended their losing streak on the road in the BCL. They were firmly in control of the Wednesday matchup in Greece, leading by 20 after three quarters, before taking their foot off the gas pedal and easing to their second win of the season.
Errick McCollum scored 21 points, which means he has now climbed above the 20-point mark in four of his last five BCL games, while making 34-of-35 free throws in that stretch, including 4-of-4 on Wednesday.
Jerry Boutsiele dominated inside the arc with 13 points and 8 rebounds, while Muhsin Yasar and Daron Russell had 10 apiece.
Kolossos dropped to 0-3, London Perrantes being their top man with 11 points and 7 assists.
Maccabi Ramat-Gan 78-86 Telekom Baskets Bonn
TJ Shorts II's time in Bonn was memorable, as he led the team to their maiden European trophy - the BCL title in 2023 - but it seems that they've found another guy who can stand right next to Shorts and make them dream of repeating BCL glory.
With 23 points and 5 assists against Maccabi, Darius McGhee became only the second player in the history of the Basketball Champions League to have at 20 or more points and 5 or more assists in each of his first three games in this competition.
The only other player to do so? TJ Shorts II, of course.
McGhee had a helping hand on Wednesday as Phlandrous Fleming Jr counted to 22 points and 9 rebounds, while Thomas Kennedy had 10 points and 8 rebounds. Maccabi's Amin Stevens had 23 points and 7 rebounds in a losing effort.
Bonn jumped to a 2-1 record and share the top of the group standings with AEK Betsson BC, while Maccabi dropped to 1-2.
BAXI Manresa 105-59 NINERS Chemnitz
It was a battle for second spot in Group G, behind the still perfect Bertram Derthona Baskets. But BAXI Manresa made it a one-way street, quickly opening up a double-digit lead in the first quarter, and not allowing Chemnitz to come close at any point of the night.
Manresa's defense was stifling, forcing 29 turnovers, at times not allowing Chemnitz to even get the ball across the halfcourt line. Retin Obasohan's ball pressure was especially impressive.
Four men were in double digits for coach Diego Ocampo, led by Derrick Alston who put up 30 points in just 22 minutes of action on 9-of-12 shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 from deep, and 9-of-9 from the free-throw line.
Obasohan had 15 points with 2 blocks and 2 steals, Cameron Hunt scored 12, and Marcis Steinbergs finished with 10.
DeAndre Lansdowne had 15 points for Chemnitz, who will need to erase this game from their memory as fast as possible.