Sensational Saratov condemn Lions to fifth straight European defeat

James Vear’s London Lions put on a spirited performance but were outclassed by Avtodor Saratov in 77-104 defeat.

Saratov were ruthless from minute one at the Copper Box Arena and thoroughly deserved to continue their unbeaten streak in the FIBA Europe Cup Second Round.

DJ Funderburk, Zeljko Sakic, Anton Kvitkovskikh, Phillip Scrubb and Evgeniy Kolesnikov all got into double figures and were the catalysts to a very professional performance for the visitors.

The Lions battled at both ends of the court, but the ultimate differences was the accuracy in the shooting and the transitional defence. Saratov made 20% more field goals than their hosts, including 14 from downtown in comparison to London’s sixth.

It was the three-point shooting that took the game away from London as the visitors were not only attempting more, but they were more accurate with them too. A 57-36 half-time lead was enough to allow Saratov to coast at times in the second half, but even when their bench players came on, they picked up where the starters left off and saw them to a 104-77 win.

Despite the wide margin, there was one positive for the Lions in the outstanding performance from Marquis Teague. A former Saratov player himself, perhaps he had a point to prove when he dropped a 28-point game in a team that were heavily beaten. However, there is no doubting Teague’s quality as the American has spent three years of his career playing in the NBA, featuring as recently as 2018 for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Vear will look to harness some of these positives into a crucial British Basketball League Championship game on Friday as the Lions host the unbeaten league leaders, Leicester Riders. Although the Lions are still without a win in the Second Round of the FIBA Europe Cup, it has been a good European journey so far and the BBL side have certainly not disgraced themselves against quality opposition.

Saratov’s Macedonian Head Coach, Emil Rajkovic, will be delighted that his side have remained unbeaten in the competition, and as such are cruising through to the Quarter-Finals. Attentions for his team turn to a big VTB United League game against Lokomotiv Kuban before they travel to Turkey to take on Bahçeşehir Koleji.

As for the London Lions, they will sign off their European campaign with another match at the Copper Box Arena where they will host Danish side Bakken Bears in their last chance to avoid a winless Second Round.

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