FIBA Europe Cup - Tuesday round-up

MUNICH (FIBA Europe Cup) - Belfius Mons-Hainaut face a nervous wait to see if they will advance to the Second Round of the FIBA Europe Cup after falling to an 82-72 home loss to Telekom Baskets Bonn on Tuesday night.

While a win would have seen Mons-Hainaut join Bonn in advancing from Group C, the loss will leave the hosts glued to their screens on Wednesday as they sweat on the game between Kormend and Donar Groningen in the battle for the best third-placed team spots.

It proved a deeply frustrating night for the hosts as they kept it close but nevertheless trailed from start to finish.

Their best chance of getting on level terms came midway through the fourth quarter as Justin Cage and Ante Delas hit back-to-back three-pointers to make it 65-63, but Joshua Mayo responded with a three-pointer for Bonn. 

Soon after, back-to-back deep balls from Ojar Silins and Mayo killed Mons-Hainaut’s momentum as Bonn went 74-65 up with 3:01 remaining. 

Needing a win to book their place in the Second Round, Elan Chalon left absolutely no doubt with a 106-77 rout of a Alba Fehervar team who began the night as Group A leaders.  

Taking revenge for their 111-91 defeat in the reverse fixture, Elan Chalon snatched top spot in the group with a powerful statement.

"We really wanted to do better after getting smacked away," coach Jean-Denys Choulet said: "A lot of people talked trash on us when we lost. I just hope those people are going to keep talking about our big win tonight."

Cameron Clark poured in 26 points, while Moustapha Fall collected 18 points and 13 rebounds and John Roberson added 11 points and 11 assists for last year’s Final Four participants. 

Alba Fehervar could perhaps be forgiven for taking it easy as they were already through, but it soon became apparent their grip on top spot was in grave danger. 

 

The hosts raced into a 26-10 lead on Lance Harris’ three-pointer with 2:20 still to go in the first quarter, and the momentum never shifted.

"We played a very good basketball game at home, and they did the same," said Alba coach Branislav Dzunic. "I'm still very happy with this second place."

Both teams put up 71 shots but Elan Chalon sank 42 of them (59%) while the visitors managed only 28 (39%). 

"The first thing was to get the win," said Harris. "Then as the lead became bigger and bigger, we thought about the fact we could finish first."

While top spot was on the players' minds, their coach was not even sure if he wanted it. 

"We didn't know what was best for us between finishing first or second, because of the game date in January to let our American players go back to the USA for a few days, which I know is important to them." 

Full Results

Group A
Elan Chalon 106-77 Alba Fehervar

Group C
Belfius Mons-Hainaut 72-82 Telekom Baskets Bonn

Group D
Nanterre 92 90-79 Antwerp Giants

Group E
Pau-Lace-Orthez 92-74 Redwell-Gunners

Group F
Steaua CSM 83-92 Bnei Herzliya

Group G
KB Peja 66-76 Gaziantep

Group I
TLU/Kalev 55-96 Prienu-Birstono

FIBA