SCM Craiova vs. U-Mobitelco BT Cluj Napoca – Liga Națională de Baschet Masculin

Date: May 15, 2026

On a decisive evening in the Romanian Liga Națională de Baschet Masculin, U-Mobitelco BT Cluj Napoca outdueled SCM Craiova 85-75 on the road, reinforcing their status as title contenders. The match, played at Craiova’s home arena, saw the visitors control the tempo from the second quarter onward, leaving the home side scrambling for answers.

Match Overview

Cluj Napoca entered the game with a clear game plan: push the pace on offense and lock down Craiova’s shooters. The first quarter was tight, ending 22-20 in favor of the visitors, but a strong second quarter (28-18) gave Cluj a double-digit lead that they never surrendered. Craiova fought back in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to eight points, but Cluj responded with timely baskets in the final period to secure the ten-point victory.

Key Moments

• Second-quarter surge: Cluj outscored Craiova 28-18 in the second quarter, fueled by three consecutive three-pointers from their backcourt.
• Fourth-quarter composure: With Craiova threatening at 65-72 with six minutes left, Cluj’s veteran point guard orchestrated a 9-2 run to restore a double-digit lead.
• Defensive stops: Cluj forced 14 turnovers, converting them into 18 points, a decisive factor in the final margin.

Standout Players

• U-Mobitelco BT Cluj Napoca: The leading scorer tallied 22 points and 7 assists, controlling the game’s flow. The center added a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
• SCM Craiova: Their best performer poured in 25 points, but received insufficient support from the rest of the rotation, as only one other player reached double figures.

Season Impact

With this win, Cluj Napoca improved to 18-4 in the Liga Națională de Baschet Masculin standings, staying neck-and-neck with the league leaders. For SCM Craiova (12-10), the loss was a missed opportunity to move into the top four and bolster their playoff seeding. The result underscores Cluj’s depth and experience in high-stakes road environments.