Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz ended its eight-game losing streak with a stunning 118-109 victory over Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv on Friday night at Buesa Arena, delivering one of the highest-scoring games in recent EuroLeague history.
The result lifted Baskonia to 10-24, while Hapoel dropped to 20-13 but remained fifth in the standings despite the unexpected setback.
The game unfolded at a relentless pace from the opening tip, with both teams trading baskets and pushing the tempo throughout the first quarter. Hapoel guard Elijah Bryant fueled the early offensive surge, scoring 19 points in the opening period alone.
Baskonia matched the visitors possession for possession by spreading the scoring across the lineup. The home team attacked inside and from the perimeter to prevent Hapoel from building separation.
The offensive explosion continued in the second quarter, producing a historic statistical milestone. The teams combined for 131 points in the first half, the most ever recorded in a EuroLeague half since tracking began in the 2007-08 season.
The previous record of 125 points had been set earlier this season in a game between AS Monaco and Paris Basketball.
Baskonia also established a new club record by scoring 67 points before halftime, surpassing its previous mark of 65 set during the 2022-23 campaign.
Despite the record-setting offense, the game turned after the break when Baskonia improved its defensive intensity. The hosts began generating stops and gradually widened the margin during the third quarter.
Point guard Trent Forrest delivered the most impactful performance of the night for Baskonia. He finished with 22 points on 6-of-7 shooting while adding four assists and a game-high performance index rating of 29.
Mamadi Diakite contributed 15 points and four assists, helping stabilize the offense late while also emphasizing the defensive adjustments that shaped the outcome.
Baskonia’s balanced attack proved decisive. Kobi Simmons scored 14 points, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot added 13, Gytis Radzevicius finished with 12, Eugene Omoruyi scored 11 and Clement Frisch chipped in 10.
The hosts shot an efficient 80 percent from two-point range and finished with 21 assists while limiting turnovers to eight.
Bryant led Hapoel with 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting, while Daniel Oturu added 21 and Antonio Blakeney scored 19. However, the visitors committed 16 turnovers and allowed 118 points.
Hapoel will look to rebound next Thursday against fellow playoff contender Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, while Baskonia returns home again to face Real Madrid the following night.
