Fraser scores 41 in FIBA Europe Cup, Kalev blow 20-point lead in Manchester, Bagatskis' Benfica lose in Geneva
In FIBA Europe Cup group games, Baku's Absheron Lions guard James Fraser Jr. scored 41 points in an overtime win. Latvian coach Ainars Bagatskis' Benfica lost in Geneva, while Tallinn's Kalev, with Rinalds Mālmanis, squandered a 20-point lead.
In the group stage of the FIBA Europe Cup, a European club basketball competition, Absheron Lions of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, beat Turkey's Denizli 94-86 in overtime. The standout was 31-year-old American guard James Fraser Jr., who scored 41 points, two short of the competition record set earlier this month by Treyezrien White of Poland's Zielona Góra.
Fraser's numbers
Fraser made 8 of 14 three-pointers, 4 of 18 two-pointers and 9 of 12 free throws. He also grabbed nine rebounds, handed out seven assists and made five steals.
Kalev lose in Manchester
Estonian club Kalev of Tallinn opened at Manchester with an 8-0 run and led 53-33 late in the first half. After the break they were still ahead 64-46, but ended up losing 85-89 to the home side. Keon Thompson scored 24 points for the winners. Latvian player Rinalds Mālmanis played 12 minutes for Kalev, scoring three points, with three assists and one rebound. After the game, Kalev stand at two wins and two losses in Group F.
Benfica's first defeat
Benfica of Lisbon, coached by Latvian Ainars Bagatskis and Portugal's runners-up in the national league, suffered their first loss in the competition, falling 90-93 to Lions de Genève. Late in regulation the Portuguese side cut an 81-89 deficit to 88-89 but could not complete the comeback. Benfica remain top of Group G with three wins and one loss.
