In front of an electric home crowd in Športová hala, BC Prievidza delivered a memorable performance to down Sporting CP Lisbon 94–82 on Wednesday night for their first win in FIBA Europe Cup Top 16 play. For the hosts — huge underdogs in a group featuring three giants of European club basketball — this was more than just a win: it was the confirmation of being more than just glorified tourists on the big stage. 

The game was an instant classic from the opening tip. The visitor came out guns blazing and converted even high-difficulty looks with incredible marksmanship. When Sporting center Brandon Johns, who was 1 of 8 from the perimeter previously, calmly knocked down back-to-back threes, it looked as if Gareth Murray’s troops were in European trouble again (34-41, 15.).

However, BC responded with a run of their own: 9 straight points from a red-hot James Bishop allowed them to enter the locker room with a narrow lead (47-46, 20.). 



In the third quarter, the guests regained control and when their lead ballooned to double-digits, it seemed as if traditional European hierarchy would prevail (53:64, 28.) But on the ensuing possession Sage Tolbert found a cutting Davontrey Thomas for a layup that started the “Prievidza Remontada”. Joe Toussaint drew a charge, Naje Smith converted to looks around the basket and James Bishop made it 61:65 with a transition finger roll on the quarter buzzer. 



The stage was set for a thrilling final stanza and it should not disappoint. Carried by the crowd’s energy, BC now executed their trademark run-and-gun basketball to perfection. When the unstoppable Bishop (30 points, 12-of-20 field goals) and bench energizer Smith (18 points, 4 assists, 4 blocks, 28 EFF, +22) connected on additional three-pointers, the decibel level reached Boeing take-off territory. Much-improved Bonke Maring’s corner three was the final dagger that left the favourites stunned and unable to respond (94-80, 39.). An epic upset and a true “giant killing” that will go down in BC history and marks another important step towards international recognition.