New chapter for DVTK with Quarter-Finals spot; Valencia still alive

MUNICH (Germany) - There was joy and a slice of history for DVTK Hun-Therm after they secured the win they needed against ACS Sepsi-SIC on Thursday night to qualify for the post-season for the very first time.

Meanwhile, 24 hours earlier, the battle to make the Quarter-Finals headed towards what is likely to be a thrilling climax as Valencia Basket Club, Cukurova Basketbol Mersin and Beretta Famila Schio all racked up vital wins.

The trio are all fighting hard to make the last eight and their chances improved as they all stepped closer to that aim. The likes of Villeneuve D'Ascq and Perfumerias Avenida also gave their hopes a boost with wins, while Bridget Carleton amassed one of the best scoring nights in more than 20 years of the competition. 

Exciting new step for DVTK HUN-Therm

The party is underway in Miskolc after DVTK HUN-Therm punched their ticket to the Quarter-Finals in just their second Regular Season in the competition. Having navigated through the Qualifiers, they managed to continue something of a Cinderella story by beating ACS Sepsi-SIC 72-54.

Made even sweeter by qualifying in front of their own fans, DVTK shrugged off their loss in form during recent weeks to get the win. It was built around a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds from Kaila Charles, as well as a strong 20 points and 7 boards from Milica Jovanovic. 

Valencia still kicking and deny Spanish rivals 

There is no margin for error for Valencia Basket Club if they want to make the post-season and they did the job with a stylish 85-56 win at home to Spanish rivals Casademont Zaragoza to keep their dream alive. It made it all the more sweeter that the huge victory also denied their arch rivals a Quarter-Finals ticket - or at least made them wait.

It was the experience of Alba Torrens that was a difference-maker as she rolled back the years with a class show that harvested a perfect shooting night for 12 points, along with 5 assists and 5 steals. Merrit Hempe and Leticia Romero played the cameos by sharing 20 points. 

Cukurova made to wait after nail-biting win

It took a lot of steel and concentration to take a nerve shredding 64-61 triumph against Virtus Segafredo Bologna, but Cukurova Basketbol Mersin didn't get to celebrate the Quarter-Finals ticket they had hoped for. That particular party was put on ice after the results elsewhere didn't go in their favor.

Still, this win pushed them to the cusp of qualification and it was inspired by what is becoming a regular show from Marina Mabrey. She again flirted with a triple-double, or at least entered that potential territory with 19 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds. Mabrey sunk the winning free-throws after the visitors had almost grabbed the victory with a shot down the other end of the floor. 

Road joy in Lyon for improving Schio 

The excitement is building and the possibility of back to back runs to the Final Four could yet be opening up for Beretta Famila Schio after they edged an entertaining meeting with LDLC ASVEL Feminin 90-83.

A nice second quarter gave them the confidence to push on for victory and it was a big team effort with no fewer than four players in double-digits for points - led by playmaker Arella Guirantes with 22. The Puerto Rican also garnered 7 rebounds and 5 assists. 

Vibrant Villeneuve roll over Praha

Visitors ZVVZ USK Praha had only lost once previously when they stepped out on the floor at Villeneuve d'Ascq LM, but now they have two defeats to their name after Kennedy Burke inspired the home team to a pulsating 90-81 victory.

She showed out with 31 points and helped by other nice performances from her teammates Shavonte Zellous, Janelle Salaun and Kamiah Smalls, Villeneuve have catapulted themselves firmly into the race for the Quarter-Finals again. 

Highs

Efficiency: 47 – Bridget Carleton (Serco UNI Gyor)
Points: 41 – Bridget Carleton (Serco UNI Gyor)
Rebounds: 14 – Kaila Charles (DVTK HUN-Therm)
Assists: 10 – Teja Oblak (ZVVZ USK Praha)
Steals: 7 – Veronika Burton (Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin) 
Blocks: 3 – Napheesa Collier (Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding)

Wednesday, January 17

Group A
Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding 72-61 Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin 
Valencia Basket Club 85-56 Casademont Zaragoza
LDLC ASVEL Feminin 83-90 Beretta Famila Schio

Group B
Cukurova Basketbol Mersin 64-61 Virtus Segafredo Bologna 
Serco UNI Gyor 91-80 KGHM BC Polkowice  
Villeneuve d'Ascq LM 90-81 ZVVZ USK Praha 
Perfumerias Avenida 69-44 Basket Landes 

Thursday, January 18

Group A
DVTK HUN-Therm 72-54 ACS Sepsi-SIC 

FIBA