Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits are still unbeaten in the European North Basketball league after a 79-72 success against the Bristol Flyers on Tuesday, December 19, at the University of Tartu Sports hall in Southern Estonia.
Players of the game
Ball handling, penetration skills and a shooting accuracy from the deep.
Märt Rosenthal was named as a biggest threat in the Flyers scouting report and – he delivered.
Shooting guard scored a game high 25 points on 6/16 shooting from the field and 9/11 from the charity stripe.
“Freestyler” added eight rebounds, six assists and seven forced fouls.
"Rock the microphone" Rosenthal had a mishap too – an unsportmanlike foul in the fourth quarter but it didn`t changed the outcome.
Kristjan Kitsing scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Power forward extended the floor and – just like Rosenthal – hit four three pointers out of 10.
Anatoly Shundel had 13 points on 5/6 shooting from the field.
He dished out four assists as well.
Trejon Jacob was the top performer for the Bristol Flyers.
Florida International University standout posted 19 points and a game high five steals.
Jacob shined in the clutch time and scored 11 points in the last six minutes.
His steals and three pointers kept the Flyers in the game.
Rowell Graham-Bell had 14 points and seven rebounds.
Brad Greene checked out with a dirty dozen – 13 points.
University of California at Irvine big man added seven rebounds.
Key stats
Tartu shot 35% from the three point line, 11/31, compared to 24% accuracy for Bristol, 6/25.
Rosenthal and Kitsing combined for 8/20 from the deep.
Half of Bristol`s threes were registered in the last six minutes, thanks to Trejon Jacob.
Tartu won the first half, 37-28, and extended its lead up to 15 points.
The hosts were better shooters from the three point line, 20/25 vs 16/25.
Defensive efforts by Trejon Jacob and back-to-back threes returned the Flyers into the game, 69-60, with 04:32 to go.
An unsportmanlike foul by Rosenthal offered another chance.
CJ Jackson split the free throws but the ball possession ended with zero points scored, 69-61.
Tartu renewed a double digit lead, thanks to a five consecutive points by Rosenthal, 74-61, with 01:27 left.
Andreas Kapoulas men fought until the end and cut the gap to six points, 76-70, after a five consecutive points by TJ.
Game notes
Tartu improved to 3-0, while Bristol dropped to 3-2.
The Estonians have won last four games on the home floor.
Gundars Vētra is 3-0 in the ENBL.
A Latvian holds an NBA record in most three pointers made – without a miss (3/3).
As of December 19, 2023, there are three unbeaten teams in the Group A and not a single one in the Group B.
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 19, 2023
Group A
Uniclub Casino Juventus 3-0 (+41)
Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits 3-0 (+38)
Bristol Flyers 3-2 (+43)
Bakken Bears Aarhus 2-0 (+41)
Polski Cukier Start Lublin 1-2 (-12)
Landstede Hammers Zwolle 1-2 (-16)
Spartak Pleven 0-4 (-56)
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)
Keila Coolbet 2-2 (-7)
Šiauliai 2-1 (-16)
Basket Brno 0-4 (-41)
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.