JL Bourg-en-Bresse has joined the elite of French basketball by becoming the seventh club to win a European competition. This historic victory marks their first major trophy, a significant achievement after narrowly missing out on the same title in 2024.
The EuroCup final was decided in the dying seconds, with Adam Mokoka driving to the basket for the winning shot with just 1.1 seconds left on the clock. Mokoka, who also contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds, alongside Kevin Kokila (18 points and an efficiency rating of 27), were the standout performers in this memorable evening. They displayed immense resilience against a determined and vengeful Turkish opponent.
This triumph raises a crucial question for the club: can they afford to commit to the demanding EuroLeague next season? The competition requires a minimum salary cap of 4.6 million euros for 38 games, a significant financial undertaking for a club whose arena, Ekinox, with a capacity of 3,500 seats, does not meet EuroLeague standards, and whose town has a population of just over 40,000.
The game saw an intense back-and-forth. JL Bourg started strong, establishing an early lead thanks to the active play of Kevin Kokila and solid contributions from Darius McGhee and Vincent Mitchell, ending the first quarter with an 8-point advantage (25-17). However, Besiktas, led by the imposing Ante Zizic, fought back in the second quarter, leveling the score at 29-29 and eventually taking a slight lead before halftime.
The second half saw a renewed surge from Besiktas, extending their lead to 38-46. But the dynamic duo of Mokoka and Kokila rallied Bourg, leveling the score at 48-48. The game remained tight and hard-fought, with Tajuan Agee’s three-pointer giving JL Bourg a slender lead heading into the final quarter.
JL Bourg extended their lead to 63-56, with Kevin Kokila continuing his dominant performance. Despite a missed opportunity by Mokoka, Bourg maintained a 7-point advantage. A crucial three-pointer from Will McDowell-White seemed to seal the victory, with the home crowd erupting in cheers. However, Jonah Mathews, who finished with 18 points, managed to tie the game with just 15 seconds remaining, setting the stage for the dramatic finale.
The boxscore can be found here.
