Men's basketball: U-BT Cluj defeat Umana Reyer Venice in the BKT EuroCup

Romanian champions U-BT Cluj secured their first victory in Group B of the BKT EuroCup on Wednesday after defeating Italian runners-up Umana Reyer Venezia 98-92 at home. The match was played in front of more than 6,000 spectators.

Cluj made a spectacular comeback after trailing 50-40 at halftime. Smart was Mihai Silvășan’s team’s top scorer, with 26 points. McCreary scored 15 points, Plavsic and Kullamae 13 each, and Bishop 12. For the Italian team, Wiltjer scored 19 points, Tessitori 16, and Olinde and Parks 11 each.

The victory comes after a difficult competition debut, when U-BT Cluj suffered a heavy 89-55 away defeat to Maxima Roma.

U-BT Cluj is participating in the BKT EuroCup for the fifth consecutive season and has reached the competition’s quarterfinals in the last three editions. The group-stage games conclude on January 13, followed by the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final, all played in a best-of-three format.