Maxima Roma Dominates Eurocup Opener, Defeating Cluj Napoca 89-55

Maxima Roma made a dream debut in the Eurocup, crushing Romanian side U-BT Cluj-Napoca 89-55 at the Palazzetto dello Sport.

The team displayed a strong performance throughout the match. Camara scored two consecutive baskets, including a slam dunk, extending the lead. Beslac managed a basket for Cluj, bringing the score to 85-51. Bess added two free throws for the visitors, narrowing the gap to 35 points.

Cluj's coach Silvasan called a timeout with less than five minutes remaining, with the score at 85-47. Smart added another basket for Cluj with five minutes left, making it 85-47.

Despite a three-pointer from Kullamae for Cluj in the final quarter, Maxima Roma maintained a significant lead at 84-43. Bishop of Cluj fouled out, and Lemar converted the resulting free throws, bringing the score to 84-40.

The final quarter began with a familiar technical issue affecting the scoreboard and clock, causing a delay. Maxima Roma concluded the third quarter with a commanding 42-point lead, 82-40. Ryan led the scoring with 16 points, followed by Alibegovic with 14.

Maxima Roma continued to extend their advantage, reaching a +42 lead over Cluj Napoca. Alibegovic hit a three-pointer, pushing the score to 75-35. The Romanian coach Silvasan called another timeout as his team struggled, trailing by 37 points.

Wheatle made a free throw and Veronesi added a triple, putting Maxima Roma up by 33 points at 66-33. The game was temporarily paused for a video review of a contested tactical foul. Veronesi scored again, bringing the score to 62-33. After technical issues were resolved, Maxima Roma quickly re-established their dominance with another three-pointer from Ryan, leading 60-32.

Another technical issue with the game clock and scoreboards halted play. The second half commenced with Maxima Roma holding a substantial lead. At halftime, Maxima Roma led 55-30. Ryan was the top scorer with 13 points, supported by Lemar (9) and Alibegovic (8). Smart led Cluj with 8 points.

A quick scoring burst from Smart, including a three-pointer, narrowed the gap for Cluj to 15 points, making it 53-28. Bilan scored for Maxima, putting them ahead 53-23. Ryan's basket pushed Maxima Roma past 50 points in the second quarter, 51-23. Veronesi added a free throw, bringing the score to 49-23.

Hill made two of three free throws for Cluj, resulting in a 46-23 score. Lemar converted two free throws, extending Maxima's lead. Ryan hit a three-pointer, making it 44-21. Holiday followed with a long-range three, pushing Maxima Roma to a 41-21 advantage with six minutes left in the second quarter.

After thirteen minutes of play, Maxima Roma maintained a significant lead at 38-20, while Cluj struggled offensively. Alibegovic's three-pointer extended the lead to 20 points, prompting a timeout from Cluj. The second quarter began with Maxima Roma leading 34-18 after Alibegovic's buzzer-beating three-pointer.

Maxima Roma extended their lead to 31-18. Kullamae responded with a three-pointer for Cluj, narrowing the gap to 27-18. Coach Cotelli called a timeout with the score at 25-13. After eight minutes, Maxima Roma controlled the first quarter, leading 25-11. By the sixth minute, Maxima had already scored 22 points, leading 22-9.

Smart hit a three-pointer for the Romanian team, making it 17-7. Maxima Roma held a strong 17-4 lead early on. Cluj's coach, Mihai Silvasan, called a timeout after just over three minutes of play with Maxima Roma leading 13-2. Maxima held an eight-point lead at 10-2.

Play resumed after a significant delay due to a technical issue. Notably, Cristante and Gollini, captain and reserve goalkeeper for AS Roma, were spotted in conversation with Maxima Roma's president, Paul Matiasic, while the game remained stopped. The match was still on hold, with players warming up as a technical problem persisted. Cluj's coach Mihai Silvasan was seen discussing with the referees.

A technical issue with the scoreboard and clock halted the game again shortly after it began. Maxima Roma had taken a 5-2 lead after 1 minute and 41 seconds. Maxima Roma started strong with a three-pointer from Ryan and a basket from Veronesi, leading 5-0.

The game commenced with Cluj securing the first possession. Maxima Roma's upcoming matches include a league game against Virtus Bologna next Sunday and a Eurocup fixture against Turk Telekom Ankara on Tuesday, October 6th.

Tonight's game took place at the PalaTiziano. Maxima Roma typically plays at the PalaEur, while the Palazzetto dello Sport is home to BC Roma.

Earlier in the day, another Rome-based team, BC Roma, lost their Eurocup match 91-78 to Turkish side Bahcesehir.

In their Serie A league debut, Maxima Roma suffered a 94-75 defeat against Napoli at the PalaEur.

The match between Maxima Roma and U-BT Cluj-Napoca was scheduled to start at 9 PM.