Esenler Erokspor produced one of the most emphatic offensive displays of the FIBA Europe Cup week, defeating SCM Craiova 118-96 on 22 October 2026. The Turkish side set the tone early and never let the game settle into a half-court grind, turning a 30-point first quarter into a comfortable victory built on deep shooting, transition baskets and a decisive third-quarter surge.

Match overview

Esenler led 30-22 after the opening period and stretched the advantage to 61-48 by halftime. The decisive break came in the third quarter, when the hosts outscored Craiova 29-24 to move 90-72 ahead, effectively putting the result beyond doubt. A 28-point fourth quarter completed the scoring and underlined the depth of Esenler’s rotation.

Craiova had spells of quality, particularly through their half-court execution and second-chance points, but they could not match Esenler’s pace for 40 minutes. Every time the Romanian side trimmed the gap, the hosts answered with a quick run, usually sparked by perimeter pressure or an offensive rebound.

Key moments

The first real warning came late in the opening quarter when Esenler closed on a 12-2 run to turn a tight game into an eight-point lead. The momentum carried into the second period, with back-to-back three-pointers pushing the margin into double digits. Craiova briefly cut the deficit to nine early in the third, but Esenler responded with a 15-3 burst that broke the game open.

Tactical story

Esenler’s small-ball lineups created matchup problems throughout. Their guards attacked off high ball screens, forcing Craiova’s big men to defend in space, and the hosts punished every late rotation with quick ball movement. Esenler also dominated the fast-break battle, scoring repeatedly after long rebounds and live-ball turnovers. Craiova’s half-court offense was more deliberate, but the visitors were often forced into contested late-clock shots.

Standout performers

• Mert Yılmaz led Esenler with 26 points and 7 assists, controlling tempo and hitting several timely three-pointers.
• Kaan Demir added 21 points and 9 rebounds, giving the hosts a physical presence inside and on the offensive glass.
• Andrei Popescu was Craiova’s best performer with 24 points, but his scoring came largely in isolation as the visitors chased the game.

What it means

The 22-point win is a significant statement in the FIBA Europe Cup group phase, boosting Esenler Erokspor’s point differential and strengthening their position in the standings. For SCM Craiova, the defeat leaves little margin for error in the remaining fixtures and raises questions about their ability to defend high-tempo opponents. Esenler will hope the offensive rhythm carries into their next European outing, while Craiova must regroup quickly on the domestic front.