London Lions suffer heartbreak with double OT loss to Paris

By Alan Mezoela on October 24, 2023

London Lions suffered a heartbreaking 102-106 double OT loss to Paris Basketball in the EuroCup at the Copper Box Arena on Tuesday evening.

https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1716924939188736065?t=RaKbZuj9_6qIa7AI8gGe9w&s=19

Paris erased a 10-point fourth quarter deficit before a Sam Dekker three with 0.2 seconds remaining in regulation sent the record 6,000 fans in the Copper Box wild to force the first period of overtime.

A late Gabe Olaseni offensive rebound and putback forced the second extra period, but ultimately the Lions would run out of steam and were unable to capitalise on Paris having four players foul out including star player TJ Shorts.

https://twitter.com/EuroCup/status/1716915647500931253?t=A3pspvjReGBsuXAHFzRJ7A&s=19

With both teams heading into the game with perfect 3-0 records, the growing rivalry did not disappoint, producing the game of the season so far.

Matt Morgan scored a game-high 26 points to lead London, as Sam Dekker had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Gabe Olaseni recorded a double-double too with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

TJ Shorts had a stellar performance before fouling out, recording 24 points, 6 assists and 5 steals, and shooting 10 of 16 from the field.

Six Paris Basketball players scored in double digits, as Nadir Hifi had a career-high with 20 points and a number of huge baskets down the stretch.

Box score.

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