The London Lions suffered an 88–63 defeat to Türk Telekom in Ankara after a competitive first half unravelled in the third quarter.
Shorthanded, the Lions battled early and even led late in the second quarter, but Telekom’s size, shooting, and physicality proved decisive after halftime.
Head coach Tautvydas Sabonis admitted his side wasn’t ready for the shift in intensity: “Türk Telekom came out with more energy and more physicality and we weren’t ready for it.”
Ciaran Sandy led London with 12 points — the only Lion in double figures — as the visitors continued to fight through limited rotations and mismatches inside.
For Telekom, Uroš Trifunović paced the scoring with 16 points on 4-of-5 shooting from deep, while Marko Simonović grabbed 13 rebounds. Doğuş Özdemiroğlu added nine points and seven assists in under 17 minutes as Telekom controlled tempo after the break.
Despite early full-court pressure, London settled defensively in the opening quarter. Deane Williams opened scoring with a putback, and hustle plays from Shavar Reynolds Jr set up a corner three for Karolis Lukošiūnas.
Tarik Phillip’s pick-and-roll execution briefly gave London the lead before Telekom edged ahead 14–11 after a low-scoring first period.
The Lions’ best stretch came in the second quarter.
Sandy’s defensive activity sparked transition chances, Reynolds drilled a three to tie it, and Williams hit a fadeaway to put London ahead.
A triple from Aaryn Rai capped a 17–4 run for an eight-point lead. Telekom, cold from deep early, rallied late to trim the margin, but London held a 32–30 advantage at half-time — the pace they wanted.
That control vanished quickly. Telekom opened the third with back-to-back threes and a 13–1 run, flipping momentum. Guards pushed pace and punished mismatches as London struggled for clean looks. Despite finishes from Williams and Chaundee Brown Jr.’s and-one drive, Telekom exploded for 30 points in the quarter, building a 60–42 cushion.
The hosts continued to dominate inside in the fourth, even hitting a rare three from their seven-footer. Sandy converted an and-one, while Brown and Nigel Hawkins added late baskets, but the gap remained insurmountable.
The Lions drop to 5-9 in EuroCup play, two spots outside the playoff picture.
Share