Dominant Performance Secures Crucial Home Win
Dolomiti Energia Trento delivered an impressive display at home, defeating London Lions 85-73 in Round 12 of EuroCup action. Playing in front of 3,037 fans, the Italian side overcame a slow start to dominate the final three quarters and secure their fourth consecutive victory in the competition. The win keeps Trento's momentum rolling as they continue to establish themselves as serious contenders in this year's tournament.
The victory was particularly significant given the contrasting form of both teams heading into the matchup. Trento arrived with confidence after stringing together impressive wins, including a narrow one-point thriller against Buducnost and a commanding road victory over Bourg-en-Bresse. Meanwhile, the Lions were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat in Montenegro, though they had shown character with a recent home victory against Besiktas.
Jones Delivers Career Night
The star of the evening was undoubtedly Devante Jones, who produced a spectacular 33-point performance that proved too much for the London defense to handle. The American guard was ruthless in his efficiency, converting 10 of 13 field goal attempts and demonstrating ice-cold composure from the free-throw line with 11 successful attempts from 12. His shooting prowess from inside the arc was particularly impressive, making 8 of 9 two-point attempts while adding two three-pointers for good measure.
Jones wasn't merely a scoring machine; his overall efficiency rating of 37 reflected a complete performance. He contributed three rebounds and two assists while drawing nine fouls from frustrated London defenders who struggled to contain his penetration. With a plus-minus of +19, Jones was clearly the difference-maker during his 25 minutes on the court. His ability to get to the free-throw line and convert under pressure was crucial in maintaining Trento's lead during critical moments of the game.
Steward Provides Essential Support
While Jones grabbed the headlines, DJ Steward played an equally important role in Trento's victory. The guard contributed 18 points in over 31 minutes of action, showing versatility in his scoring approach. Steward was particularly effective attacking the basket, converting 7 of 11 two-point attempts, though his three-point shot wasn't falling on this occasion, going 0 for 5 from beyond the arc.
What made Steward's performance valuable was his all-around contribution. He recorded four assists, demonstrating good vision and decision-making, while also collecting a steal and a block. His perfect 4-for-4 performance from the free-throw line showed composure in pressure situations. With a +9 plus-minus rating, Steward's presence on the court clearly benefited Trento's overall performance, particularly in the second half when the home side began to pull away.
Jakimovski Controls the Glass
Andrej Jakimovski may not have filled the stat sheet with points, managing just 5 on 2-of-8 shooting, but his work on the boards was absolutely vital. The North Macedonian forward dominated the glass with 13 rebounds, including five offensive boards that gave Trento crucial second-chance opportunities. His physical presence and rebounding tenacity helped Trento control the tempo and limit London's fast-break opportunities.
Jakimovski's defensive activity was also noteworthy, recording two steals while playing excellent team defense throughout his 31 minutes on the court. Despite his minus-8 rating being somewhat misleading given the overall team performance, his hustle plays and effort were instrumental in wearing down the London frontline over the course of the game.
London's Reynolds Fights Valiantly
For London Lions, Shavar Reynolds Jr led the way with 22 points in an efficient performance. The American guard shot 6-of-11 from the field and added 8-of-11 from the free-throw line, showing his ability to score in multiple ways. Reynolds also contributed six assists and drew seven fouls, demonstrating his ability to create both for himself and his teammates. His efficiency rating of 26 was team-best for the visitors, and he played nearly the entire game at over 28 minutes.
However, Reynolds lacked sufficient support from his teammates. Deane Williams added 14 points on efficient 6-of-8 shooting, and Tarik Phillip chipped in with 9 points off the bench, but the Lions struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm against Trento's organized defense.
Turning Point in the Second Quarter
The game's decisive period came in the second quarter when Trento transformed a five-point deficit into a one-point lead at halftime. After trailing 18-13 after the first quarter, the home side exploded for 24 points while limiting London to 20. This 11-point swing set the tone for the remainder of the contest. The Italian side's defensive adjustments and increased offensive aggression caught London off-guard, and the visitors never recovered their early composure.
The third quarter saw Trento extend their advantage further with a 26-18 period, effectively putting the game beyond London's reach. The home team's ability to maintain intensity and execute their game plan through the second half demonstrated their growing maturity as a team. The final quarter became a formality as Trento managed the game professionally, limiting London to just 17 points while adding 22 of their own.
Bench Contributions Make the Difference
Trento's bench provided important contributions, with Matas Jogela adding 10 points and Khalif Battle contributing 7 points. Jogela's two three-pointers and perfect free-throw shooting gave Trento offensive sparks when needed, while his +20 plus-minus in 22 minutes highlighted his impact during his time on the court.
London's bench struggled to match this production. Karolis Lukosiunas provided a bright spot with 6 points on perfect 2-of-2 three-point shooting and added two steals, but Johnathan Williams managed just 5 points despite playing over 25 minutes. The Lions' inability to generate consistent scoring from their reserves proved costly as fatigue set in during the crucial third quarter.
Looking Ahead
This victory represents another step forward for Dolomiti Energia Trento in their impressive EuroCup campaign. With four consecutive wins, including this convincing home performance, they are establishing themselves as genuine contenders. The emergence of Devante Jones as a go-to scorer, combined with the supporting cast's contributions, gives them multiple offensive weapons.
For London Lions, this defeat highlights the consistency issues that have plagued their season. Their recent form shows a pattern of alternating results, and the 12-point loss in Italy suggests they still have work to do to compete with the competition's stronger teams. The Lions will need to regroup and find ways to generate more balanced scoring if they hope to make a push in the second half of the season.
