CSO Voluntari erased nine points deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat Newcastle Eagles, 84-76, on Wednesday, December 13, at the packed Sala Gabriela Szabo in southern Romania,
Players of the game
Two good teams, eye catching performances and great atmosphere in a packed arena – Wednesday`s game was a true treat for basketball fans.
Rashard Marque Odomes played fantastic, especially in the last 10 minutes.
Alaskan guard forward scored 14 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter.
Odomes relentlessly attacked and forced five fouls in a matter of minutes.
He went 9/15 from the field and 9/10 from the free throw line along with five rebounds, four assists and a block.
Trevon Allen scored 15 points.
Idaho standout started comeback and had seven points in the final frame.
JT Shumate contributed with nine points and 10 rebounds.
A former Toledo center added two steals and two blocks.
Five Eagles finished in double figures.
Rickey McGill led Newcastle with 13 points, while Jordan Johnson had 10 points and nine assists.
Devin Whitfield surprised the most.
Lincoln Memorial University standout scored eight consecutive points early in the fourth quarter, including two shots from the deep.
Whitfield accumulated 11 points in total.
Key stats
Newcastle Eagles took the biggest lead after eight consecutive points by Devin Whitfield, 57-66.
CSO Voluntari dug in and replied with a 19-4 run.
Rashard Odomes shined on offense and posted 14 points in a short time.
Voluntari hit 88 percent from the charity stripe – 24/27, including 9/11 in the last 10 minutes.
The Eagles fought to the end and grabbed nine offensive rebounds (!) during the clutch time.
It wasn`t enough for Marc Steutel and his men.
Game notes
CSO Voluntari improved to 4-1, while the Newcastle Eagles dropped to 2-2.
Ainars Bagatskis team has a 10-1 record in last 10 games.
CSO Voluntari have won seven straight games at home.
Newcastle Eagles are 1-2 on the road.
The British team had only eight players available.
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube live stream
Format
Four best teams from each group will qualify for the playoffs (A1-B4, A2-B3, A3-B2, A4-B1).
The 2024 playoffs – home and away, best-of-two series – will take place from February 1 until March 20.
The 2024 Final Four will take place on April 9-10.
Standings, as of December 13, 2023
Group A
Uniclub Casino Juventus 3-0 (+41)
Bristol Flyers 3-1 (+50)
Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits 2-0 (+31)
Polski Cukier Start Lublin 1-2 (-12)
Landstede Hammers Zwolle 1-2 (-16)
Bakken Bears Aarhus 1-0 (+24)
Spartak Pleven 0-3 (-39)
Svendborg Rabbits 0-3 (-79)
Group B
CSO Voluntari 4-1 (+53)
Royal Liège Basket 3-1 (+35)
Zastal Zielona Gora 3-1 (+21)
Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles 2-2 (+12)
Šiauliai 2-1 (-16)
Keila Coolbet 1-2 (-27)
Basket Brno 0-3 (-21)
Valmiera Glass ViA 0-4 (-57)
Tie-breaker 1: Zielona Gora vs Šiauliai 1-0, +26.
Tie-breaker 2: Šiauliai vs Newcastle 1-0, +2.
Tie-breaker 3: Šiauliai vs Voluntari 1-0, +8.
Tie-breaker 4: Liège vs Zielona Gora 1-0, +23.