BOURG-EN-BRESSE. JL Bourg claimed the BKT EuroCup championship after defeating Besiktas 73-71 in the second game of the final. A decisive shot by Adam Mokoka with just one second remaining sparked celebrations in France and confirmed the title for the home team, which also secured its place in the next EuroLeague.
The matchup lived up to the script of a great European final: defensive intensity, long possessions, and tight competition from start to finish. JL Bourg tried to impose its pace with support from its home crowd, while Besiktas responded with tough defense and offensive patience. Neither team managed to open a clear lead during the first half.
In a low-scoring affair, every basket carried double value. JL Bourg found production in the paint through Kevin Kokila, who was brilliant with 18 points, while Adam Mokoka stepped up in crucial moments. The French wing finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, several of them decisive down the stretch.
Besiktas never stopped competing. Jonah Mathews kept the Turkish team afloat with 18 points, while Ante Zizic contributed 14 points and 8 rebounds in the paint. Brynton Lemar also made an impact with 13 points, playing a key role in the visitors' comeback when the game appeared to be slipping away.
The decisive turn came in the final minutes. Just when JL Bourg seemed to have the final under control, Besiktas tied the score in a frantic finish thanks to plays from Lemar and Mathews. With the game tied and just 16 seconds remaining, everything came down to the home team's final possession.
That's when Adam Mokoka emerged. The shooting guard took responsibility, attacked the basket, and scored the game-winning layup with just one second on the clock to seal the 73-71 victory. A moment that delivered the EuroCup title to JL Bourg and will forever be part of the French club's history.
With this triumph, JL Bourg caps off a memorable season and earns a spot in the next EuroLeague, a massive step forward for the project led by head coach Frederic Fauthoux. Besiktas, meanwhile, came up just short despite competing until the final possession.