U-BT Cluj Napoca win Romanian duel, Pinar Karsiyaka lay down marker

MUNICH (Germany) - U-BT Cluj Napoca claimed national bragging rights to open the Second Round action on Wednesday with home teams enjoying the majority of success.

The competition's second all-Romanian battle this season saw U-BT Cluj Napoca overcome CSM CSU Oradea in an 81-76 victory. Patrick Richard top scored with 18 points with three teammates adding 14 points apiece.

The hosts recovered from a slow start, trailing 21-10 in the first quarter before pulling away in the second quarter. Cluj-Napoca led by as many as 13 points in the contest, though they had to survive a fourth quarter fightback as the gap was cut to just a single point in the final period.

Pinar Karsiyaka were in dominant form as they brushed aside ZZ Leiden to win 105-65 away from home. Tony Taylor fired in seven triples in a 23-point outing with Jordan Morgan adding scoring support with 20 points.

Enisey Krasnoyarsk had earlier opened proceedings in Group L by beating Bahcesehir College 105-90 with the Russians continued their strong form at home. Croatian Tomislav Zubcic hit 6-of-9 from beyond the arc on his way to a 33-point haul, while Serbian guard Nikola Rebic went 6-of-7 from the floor to add 16 points along with 7 assists in the win.

The second quarter proved to be a turning point as the hosts outscored their opponents 32-18 to take control, and there was no way back. Trae Golden kept his side fighting until the end and finished with 31 points and 9 assists with Mangok Mathiang posting 19 points and 15 rebounds for a big double-double in vain.

Ryan Evans posted 26 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists to fuel a convincing 110-92 triumph for Bakken Bears over medi Bayreuth. Michel Diouf added 22 points and 9 rebounds and Darko Jukic weighed in with a further 21 points on 80% shooting.

Ironi Ness Ziona continued their unbeaten run with an 84-75 success over Tsmoki-Minsk as Daequan Cook led the way with a game-high 23 points. Jeff Withey did not miss from the field in his 15 points and also added 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in yet another efficient display from the American.

Ventspils also maintained their perfect record after a strong second-half display set up a 96-76 victory at Egis Kormend in Group K, while BC Kyiv Basket were also victorious on the road as they saw off Landstede Hammers Zwolle 77-68 behind Kasey Shepherd's 24 points.

 
SL Benfica rounded out the night's action with a comfortable 89-62 win over Spirou Basket with Eric Coleman and Damian Hollis both netting 18 points to help their side join Bakken at the top of the group.

FIBA