London Lions earned a convincing 89-72 road win over U-Mobitelco BT Cluj Napoca in EuroCup Basketball on October 22, 2026, using disciplined perimeter defense and a productive bench to pull away in the second half. The British side led from the opening minutes and answered every Cluj run with a composed offensive possession, securing an important result in the regular season.

Match overview

London started strongly, moving the ball side to side and attacking the paint when Cluj closed out hard on shooters. The visitors led 24-18 after the first quarter and stretched the advantage to 45-36 at halftime. Cluj Napoca remained within reach early in the third, but London’s defensive pressure forced a series of rushed shots and live-ball turnovers that turned into easy points.

By the end of the third quarter, London led 68-54 and had taken control of the tempo. Cluj made one final push in the fourth, cutting the gap to 11, but London responded with back-to-back three-pointers and free throws to restore a comfortable margin. London shot 47% from the field, made 12 three-pointers, and held a 40-34 rebounding edge.

Key moments

The decisive stretch came midway through the third quarter. With London leading 50-42, the visitors forced three turnovers in four possessions and converted them into eight quick points, including a transition dunk and a corner three. That run made it 58-42 and forced Cluj to chase the game. Every time the Romanian side threatened later, London had an answer, often through its second unit.

Tactical story

London’s defensive game plan centered on limiting Cluj’s inside touches and forcing contested perimeter shots. The visitors rotated well, closed out under control, and used their length to disrupt passing lanes. Offensively, London’s ball movement created open looks from beyond the arc and allowed the bench to contribute 28 points. Cluj shot just 41% overall and 7-of-26 from three, a reflection of London’s disciplined approach.

Standout players

• Jordan Taylor (London Lions): 23 points and 5 assists; controlled the game in key moments.
• Aaron Mitchell (London Lions): 19 points and 7 rebounds; attacked the rim effectively and defended well.
• Daniel Clark (London Lions): 16 points off the bench; provided timely perimeter shooting.
• Andrei Popescu (U-Mobitelco BT Cluj Napoca): 18 points and 6 rebounds; the hosts’ most consistent offensive threat.
• Mihai Dinu (U-Mobitelco BT Cluj Napoca): 14 points; competed hard but struggled against London’s pressure.

EuroCup Basketball impact

The win gives London Lions a valuable road result and strengthens its position in the EuroCup Basketball standings. It also demonstrates the team’s depth, with the bench playing a major role in the second-half separation. For U-Mobitelco BT Cluj Napoca, the loss highlights the need for better shot selection and more consistent ball security against aggressive defensive teams.