MoStats #2: Inside the Paint: The Greatest Single-Game 2-Point Performances in BCL History (WIP)

Introduction

Hey there, and welcome to the second issue of MoStats!

In the last issue I explained why I started this project and how the database is built — then we explored the Top 2-Point Scorers in Basketball Champions League history.

This time we’re narrowing the focus to the best single-game 2-point scoring performances in BCL history. Since the last post, 236 more games have been added to the database, bringing it another step closer to full coverage.

State of the Database

Last game added to the database:

Peristeri Domino's - Bertram Derthona Tortona 65-73, January 14th, 2025 (Play-ins 2024-25)

“Null”-cells to be cleaned:

10.504 / 1.116.056 (0.94 %)

Spotlight: Most 2-Point Field Goals in a Season

Out of 2,110 games currently in the database, 63 games featured a player making 11 or more 2-point field goals. To focus on the best of the best, I looked at the top 10 performances. That turned out to be tricky — since 25 players have made 12 or more 2-point shots in a game. So the 14 players tied at 12 makes get an honorable mention, and we’ll take a closer look at those who went even higher.

Let’s see who truly dominated inside.

T-10. 14 Players - 12 2FGM

These 14 performances span years, countries, and playing styles — from bruising bigs to dynamic wings finishing through contact.

Sean Barnette (Oradea) – twice in 2016: 28 PTS on 12/16 2FG vs Lukoil Academic (70–58 W) and 26 PTS on 12/15 2FG @ Kataja (80–74 W)

Vince Hunter (AEK) – perfect 12/12 2FG @ Dijon (25 PTS, 11 REB, 90–80 W) — pure efficiency.

Ismael Bako (Antwerp) – 25 PTS on 12/14 2FG vs Brose Bamberg (76–85 L).

Rion Brown (Patras) – 31 PTS on 12/14 2FG vs Bayreuth (95–83 W).

Jordan Morgan (Banvit) – 24 PTS on 12/19 2FG vs Avellino (96–88 W).

Vince Hunter (AEK) – again 12/13 2FG @ Lietkabelis (25 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 84–65 W).

Suleiman Braimoh (Jerusalem) – 33 PTS on 12/12 2FG vs Anwil (112–94 W).

Emanuel Terry (Bandirma) – 24 PTS on 12/14 2FG + 14 REB vs RASTA Vechta (82–70 W).

TaShawn Thomas (Jerusalem) – 24 PTS on 12/15 2FG vs Limoges (81–75 W).

Raymar Morgan (Karsiyaka) – 24 PTS on 12/16 2FG + 12 REB @ Holon (72–63 W).

Justin Simon (Ludwigsburg) – 26 PTS on 12/18 2FG @ Sassari (75–82 L).

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Besiktas) – 12/17 2FG @ Rytas Vilnius (69–82 L).

Maurice Ndour (Galatasaray) – 24 PTS on 12/13 2FG @ Dijon (69–80 L).

Terrell Carter (Benfica) – 26 PTS on 12/17 2FG vs PAOK (94–72 W).

Justin Smith (Holon) – 28 PTS on 12/14 2FG vs Oostende (78–72 W).

Even after nine BCL seasons, hitting 12 2-point field goals remains a rare milestone — a threshold reached by just 0.03 % of all player-game appearances.

T-6. Jack Cooley, Zoltan Perl, Zach Hankins, Vernon Carey Jr. - 13 2FGM

Jack Cooley (Ludwigsburg 2016-17) – 31 PTS on 13/14 FG (13/13 2FG, 5/5 FT) @ Charleroi (96–78 W).

A model of efficiency, Cooley went 13-for-14 (13/13 2FG) for 31 points and 7 rebounds in a 96–78 road win at Charleroi. His relentless finishing helped Ludwigsburg reach the quarter-finals that season, falling narrowly to Banvit (165–166 aggregate).

Zoltán Perl (Szombathely 2022-23)– 29 PTS on 13/18 FG (13/17 2FG) vs Murcia (104–94 W).

The Hungarian star scored 29 points on 13/18 shooting (13/17 2FG), adding 3/4 from the line in a 104–94 win over Murcia. His ability to slice through defenses stood out in a season where Szombathely narrowly missed the Play-Ins.

Zach Hankins (Jerusalem 2022-23) – 28 PTS on 13/16 2FG vs Strasbourg (81–80 W).

Hankins dominated Strasbourg with 28 points on 13/16 shooting and added 5 rebounds. That season, he helped Jerusalem reach the Final, where they fell 70–77 to Bonn. Hankins finished the year ranked 23rd in all-time 2-point scorers.

Vernon Carey Jr. (Karsiyaka 2023-24) – 27 PTS on 13/17 2FG vs Tenerife (97–106 L).

Carey erupted for 27 points (13/17 2FG) against Tenerife, combining finesse and brute strength in the post. Despite his efforts, Karsiyaka went 2–4 in their Round of 16 group. Carey’s season still ranks 4th all-time in 2-point makes.

T-3. Henry Sims, Maurice Kemp, Amin Stevens - 14 2FGM

Henry Sims (Treviso 2021-22) – 31 PTS on 14/18 2FG (14/19 FG, 3/3 FT) in a 92–77 win @ AEK.

A force on the block, Sims powered Treviso with 31 points (14/19 FG, 14/18 2FG) and 3/3 FT in a 92–77 road win at AEK. Despite his dominant showing, Treviso’s campaign ended winless in the Round of 16.

Maurice Kemp (Herzliya 2022-23) – 33 PTS on 14/20 2FG + 5/6 FT @ Vilnius (101–90 W).

Kemp exploded for 33 points (14/20 2FG, 5/6 FT) in a 101–90 win over Rytas Vilnius, combining athleticism and touch in transition and halfcourt sets alike. Herzliya finished 2–4 and failed to reach the Play-Ins.

Amin Stevens (Ramat Gan 2024-25) – 30 PTS on 14/17 2FG (14/18 FG total) vs Bonn (76–80 L).

Stevens’ 30 points (14/18 FG, 14/17 2FG) came in a narrow 76–80 loss to Bonn. His consistency and interior scoring were key for Ramat-Gan, who pushed Szombathely to three games in the Play-Ins before bowing out.

2. Mike Morrison (2016/17, Skyliners Frankfurt) - 15 2FGM

A classic big-man performance. Morrison scored 35 points (15/17 2FG, 5/7 FT) in a 90–80 win over Karsiyaka, a showcase of rim-running, pick-and-roll finishing, and physical play. Despite his brilliance, Frankfurt lost their playoff qualifier to Karsiyaka on aggregate (142–152).

1. Brian Qvale (2016/17, Baskets Oldenburg) - 16 2FGM

The undisputed record-holder. Qvale’s 34 points (16/18 2FG, 2/4 FT) in a 98–89 win against Saratov on February 21, 2017 remain the BCL gold standard for paint dominance. Oldenburg would later fall to Banvit in the Round of 16 (143–152 aggregate), but Qvale’s clinical efficiency remains untouched eight years later.

Wrap-Up

As the database continues to grow, we’ll see how long Qvale’s record holds — and whether a new generation of finishers can challenge his 16-make masterpiece. With more than 2,000 games logged and counting, the history of the BCL paint battle is far from complete.