01 September, 2016
30 April, 2017
3 Martin Zeno (ROU)
18/01/2017
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Martin Zeno's 42 sees CSM CSU Oradea past Kataja Basket in OT

ORADEA (Basketball Champions League) - Martin Zeno tied the Basketball Champions League scoring record in a game with 42 points as CSM CSU Oradea got past Kataja Basket 101-91 in OT on Wednesday evening.


Zeno had 20 points in the first half and did not slow down in the second, appearing to have hit the game winner with 10 seconds remaining in regulation for the icing on the cake.

However, Kataja Basket were doing all they could to play spoiler, with Rion Brown connecting on a three from way beyond the arc at the buzzer to force an extra 5 minutes of play tied at 85.


In overtime, it was all Oradea as they outscored Kataja 16-6, with Zeno adding another 5 points to his total to tie the record.

"Coming in, I knew they were going to play hard," Zeno said after the contest.

"We knew they were a good passing team on offence, they ran the floor well and have knocked off some big teams. We came in here with focus know it was going to be a tough game.

"The win was more important to me (than the 42 points). I just did what the team needed me to do. They fed me the ball and I made the shots. It's a team effort and I'm just glad the team got the win."

With the win, CSM CSU Oradea side, who are now tied with Kataja at 6-7, but hold tie-breaker edge as the Group B Play-off battle continues.

Branko Mirkovic helped Zeno out with 17 points and six assists, and Andrei Mandache scored 14 points for the home side, who knocked down 15 three pointers for a 55% shooting clip from beyond the arc.

Kataja were led by 23 points from Rion Brown, 21 from Jarekious Bradley, 8 assists and 17 points from Teemu Rannikko and Joey King's 16 points.

"Obviously it was a pretty important game," Kataja's King said.

"(It was) a great opportunity to take a step forward in this league but we didn't learn from our mistakes in the first half with Zeno, let him get a few too many easy buckets and definitely blew an opportunity tonight. 

"We've made it a little more difficult for ourselves, but I know we're going home next week and it'll be another opportunity for us."