London Lions Dominate Panionios in Commanding 97-72 Eurocup Victory

The London Lions snapped a two-game losing streak in emphatic fashion, cruising to a comprehensive 97-72 victory over Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens at the Copper Box Arena in Round 7 of the BKT Eurocup.

The win improved London's record to 3-4 in Group B, keeping their playoff hopes alive, while Panionios slumped to 1-6, extending their overall losing streak to twelve consecutive defeats across all competitions.

Scott Leads the Charge

American forward Joel Scott was the catalyst for the Lions' dominant performance, delivering a stellar all-around display with 18 points, 6 rebounds (including four offensive boards), and one assist on only one turnover. His Performance Index Rating of 25 topped all players on the night, showcasing his complete control of both ends of the floor.

The Lions' offensive firepower was spread throughout the roster, with six players reaching double figures. Aaryn Rai contributed 10 points on efficient 4-of-6 shooting from the field, Amin Adamu added 13 points with 3 of his 5 three point attempts finding the bottom of the net. Coach Sabonis used all 12 of his players tonight with all of them bar Matthew Goodwin contributing points.

Balanced Attack Overwhelms Greek Visitors

London's offensive efficiency was the story of the night. The Lions shot an impressive 61.5% from two-point range (24-of-39) and connected on 43.3% of their three-point attempts (13-of-30), combining for a devastating 37 made field goals. Their ball movement was exceptional, racking up 23 assists as a team – nine more than their opponents.

The home side controlled the boards with a 36-28 rebounding advantage, including a crucial 13-9 edge on the offensive glass that led to numerous second-chance opportunities. London also forced 15 turnovers while committing 12, winning the battle in the margins that often decides European basketball games.

The second quarter proved decisive, with London outscoring the visitors 31-17 to take a commanding 20-point lead into the break. By the end of the third quarter, the margin had ballooned to 31 points (79-48), effectively putting the contest beyond doubt.

Panionios Struggles Continue

For Panionios, the road woes continued under head coach Ilias Zouros. Despite respectable shooting from the charity stripe (82.4% on 14-of-17 free throws), the Greek side couldn't match London's intensity and execution.

Keron DeShields led Panionios with 17 points and 5 assists, while Markel Starks added 14 points. However, the visitors' 45.9% two-point shooting and 40% three-point percentage couldn't keep pace with London's offensive onslaught.

The match officials – Sergio Silva, Steve Bittner, and Can Mavisu – kept the game flowing smoothly, with both teams finishing with 21 personal fouls apiece.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

• First Quarter: London 24, Panionios 18

• Second Quarter: London 31, Panionios 17 (Halftime: 55-35)

• Third Quarter: London 24, Panionios 13 (End of three: 79-48)

• Fourth Quarter: London 18, Panionios 24 (Final: 97-72)

Looking Ahead

The victory provides crucial momentum for the London Lions as they look to climb the Group B standings and secure a playoff spot. With five games remaining in the regular season, London sits in the middle of the pack but has shown previously that they can compete with quality opposition when firing on all cylinders.

For Panionios, the road ahead looks challenging. Sitting at the bottom of the group with just one win, the Greek side will need to regroup quickly and find a way to halt their lengthy losing streak as they fight to salvage their Eurocup campaign.

The Lions will look to build on this performance in their next Eurocup fixture, while Panionios returns home hoping to rediscover the form that briefly showed earlier in the season.

Final Score: London Lions 97, Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens 72

Top Performers:

• London Lions: Joel Scott (18 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST, PIR 25), Amin Adamu (13 PTS), Kameron Mcgusty (12PTS)

• Panionios: Keron DeShields (17 PTS, 5 AST, PIR 17), Markel Starks (14 PTS), Stedmon Lemon (10 PTS)

Venue: Copper Box Arena, London Competition: BKT Eurocup 2025-26, Group B, Round 7

You can Watch game replay on talkSPORT Youtube channel