Six clubs snap up tickets for Play-Off Round 1

MUNICH (Germany) - There was joy on Wednesday night for six different clubs that advanced to Play-Off Round 1, including Polkowice and French trio Tango Bourges, Roche Vendee and Tarbes GB.

Polkowice celebrated advancing with a 76-60 home triumph against Panathinaikos AC and yet again it was Steph Mavunga with the big show. Her latest sublime performance delivered 23 points and 14 rebounds. 

A fine display from Iliana Rupert set the tone for Bourges as they stormed into the next phase with a one-sided 91-56 win against Tenerife. The center stood out with a 9 of 11 shooting effort for 21 points and also added 9 boards.

Roche Vendee had the closest call as they won a nail-biting clash 72-69 at Flammes. Ornella Bankole was a difference-maker with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists, while Tiffany Clark top-scored with 22 points.

Tarbes GB completed a French hat-trick by easing past KP Brno 73-56 in a triumph founded on a monumental 23 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals from Ana Tadic.

It was also a pivotal night for CBK Mersin Yenisehir Bld who continue to look title-worthy as they cruised past Horizont 78-48 off the back of 18 points and 7 boards from Great Britain star Temi Fagbenle.

The sixth team to make it were BC Nadezhda, who used a huge last quarter to get the job done 83-72 against the visting KKZ Crvena Zvezda. Daria Namok had her best game of the campaign with 23 points, while Natasha Hiedeman had 14 points and 9 assists.

A number of clubs also rode their way to confidence-boosting first victories of the campaign, including Nika Syktyvkar and Banco Sardegna Sassari who had historic nights as they both took maiden wins in the competition.

Nika bagged an eye-catching 89-84 road win at Orman Genclik as Mariia Cherepanova and Marina Goldyreva impressed with 20 and 19 points respectively. Sassari won 81-74 against BCF Elfic Fribourg as Jessica Shepard racked up a jaw-dropping 42 points and 20 rebounds.

Enisey Krasnoyarsk racked up their first success of the season as they moved past Hatayspor 63-53 in Russia, benefitting from an N'Dea Jones double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Uni Gyor are now rolling after beating Elazig Il Ozel Idare 77-65 as Slovakian forward Sabina Oroszova excelled with 17 points and 14 rebounds. 

A special 34 points and 16 rebounds from Myisha Hines-Allen made it fourth time lucky for Virtus Segafredo Bologna who took a step forward after three losses by winning 67-62 at Lointek Gernika.

Rutronk Stars Keltern got off the mark by dishing out some cold revenge for their last-gasp loss at home to London Lions with a 68-61 road victory in the British capital. Brittany Carter fired 19 points, with teammate Alex Kiss-Rusk coming up with 16 points and 13 boards.

Elsewhere, a staggering 39 points and 13 rebounds from Brianna Fraser helped BC Prometey fall to a first loss as she starred in a thrilling 80-78 win for ACS Sepsi-Sic. Emma Cannon also had a massive double-double for Neve David Ramla as her 27 points and 10 boards took them past NKA Universitas 66-56.

British forward Cheridene Green is still the go-to player for DVTK as her 20 points and 13 rebounds facilitated a 69-49 victory against Ludovika FCSM Csata. Patricia Bura was on fire for MBK Ruzomberok with 16 points and 17 rebounds as they beat Liege Panthers 80-55.

Nesibe Aydin beat fellow Turkish side Bellona Kayseri 85-76 with Kamile Nacickaite pouring in 27 points. AZS UMCS Lublin stride their way to a 79-55 road win at InvestInTheWest Enea GW behind Ivana Jakubova and Kamiah Smalls sharing 50 points. 

Finally, Duran Maquinara Ensino pushed out Basket Namur Capitale 67-62, Polskieprzetwory Bydgoszcz couldn't contain the visiting Olympiacos SFP who won 87-64, while there was a comfortable 72-51 victory for LDLC ASVEL Feminin against Movistar Estudiantes, Villeneuve d'Ascq were too powerful for Haukar as they demolished the Icelanders 82-33 and Castors Braine took down Zabiny Brno 81-65.

FIBA