Comeback queens DVTK get it done; joy for Fenerbahce, Cukurova and Praha

MUNICH (Germany) - The Cinderella season of DVTK HUN-Therm continued in the first game of the Quarter-Finals as they posted a brilliant fight back to take down Villeneuve d'Ascq LM.

Meanwhile in a fabulous advert for the women's game, Fenerbahce held off a late comeback by Perfumerias Avenida and Cukurova saw off Casademont Zaragoza in front of a packed crowd in Mersin to make it a great night for Turkish basketball.

In the last of four games to be played on Wednesday evening, a lighting quick start proved to be the springboard for ZVVZ USK Praha as they pushed their way past Beretta Famila Schio. 

DVTK roar back from 17-point defict for famous win

It looked like fellow post-season first-timers Villneuve d'Ascq LM were going to spoil the party for the locals in Miskolc when they raced into an early 17 point lead.

However,  DVTK HUN-Therm had other ideas as they turned the contest on its head to take a memorable 78-66 win.  Outscored 26-14 in the first quarter, DVTK were superb and got themselves back in the game with a huge run heading into half-time.

They were led brilliantly by Kaila Charles who accumulated a classy double-double of 18 points and 10 boards, also picking up 4 assists and 4 rebounds too. The visitors were cold from outside and only made 5 triples from 23 attempts as their night was made worse by a worrying injury to influential forward Kariata Diaby.

McBride magic as Fenerbahce topple Avenida in shootout

Some stunning shooting from downtown laid the platform for holders Fenerbahce to shrug off the absence of injured star forward and storm past Perfumerias Avenida 98-91.

It was McBride who stepped up after the visitors had enjoyed a quick-fire opening to get Fenerbahce rolling. She fired 13 points in the first quarter as the guard went a flawless 4 of 4 from behind the three-point line. McBride finished with 27 points and a fine 8 assists in the contest.

It was arguably USA standout Napheesa Collier who was most influential as she produced a stunning display that harvested 21 points, 9 rebounds, 6 steals and 5 assists. Yvonne Anderson also excelled by contributing 22 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.  Avenida enjoyed their night offensively and rode in a high gear, hitting a stunning 14 triples themselves and benefiting from 22 and 21 points respectively from Alexis Prince and Andrea Vilaro.

Mabrey puts on a show for the masses in Mersin

Marina Mabrey showed why she was the MVP for January with another exceptional effort to lead Cukurova Basketbol Mersin to a 79-62 triumph at home to Casademont Zaragoza.

The fans in the sold-out Arena loved her game-defining line of 26 points as well as 7 assists, as they hosts got it done against one of this year's surprise teams.

However, it was not all about Mabrey. Cukurova had to keep the tempo and intensity as high as possible as a team, knowing that Zaragoza would be unlikely to have the firepower to keep pace. There was a vital cameo from playmaker Olivia Epoupa who registered 10 points, 10 boards and 6 assists. While the debuting Kahleah Copper added 20 points and Stephanie Mavunga 14 points.

Quick start catapults Praha past Schio 

The result didn't look to be in too much doubt as ZVVZ USK Praha hit the ground running with a rapid first quarter to pave the way for a convincing 78-60 victory against Beretta Famila Schio. They looked unstoppable early as they raced out of the blocks and into a commanding 25-8 lead.

The home side never had cause to look back, helped by Ezi Magbegor continuing her eye-catching campaign in the paint as she racked up 15 points, 10 boards and a fantastic 5 blocks. Support came in the shape of Veronika Vorackova who dropped 14 points. Although the shine was taken off Praha's win by Teja Oblak sustaining a potentially serious injury in the second half.

Highs

Efficiency: 32 - Napheesa Collier (Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding) 
Points: 27 - Kayla McBride (Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding) 
Rebounds: 10 - Olivia Epoupa (Cukurova Basketbol Mersin); Kaila Charles (DVTK HUN-Therm); Ezi Magbegor (ZVVZ USK Praha)
Assists: 8 -  Kayla McBride (Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding) 
Steals: 6 - Napheesa Collier (Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding) 
Blocks: 5 - Ezi Magbegor (ZVVZ USK Praha)

Wednesday, February 21

Quarter-Finals
Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding 98-91 Perfumerias Avenida
Cukurova Basketbol Mersin 79-62 Casademont Zaragoza
DVTK HUN-Therm 78-66 Villeneuve d'Ascq LM 
ZVVZ USK Praha 78-60 Beretta Famila Schio

FIBA