Oradea upset Besiktas in Istanbul, Den Bosch win all-Dutch classic to open new season

MUNICH (Germany) - The opening day of the FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season saw plenty of thrills including CSM CSU Oradea claiming an impressive victory to highlight Tuesday's action.

Oradea upset Besiktas ICRYPEX on home soil in Istanbul as Serbian Dragan Zekovic posted 22 points and 5 assists off the bench to help lead his side to a 91-83 success.

18-year-old Alperen Sengun finished with a game-high 25 points for the hub hosts as they fought back from a 15-point deficit in the third period, but could not wipe out the deficit despite closing to within single figures.

Heroes Den Bosch avoided no such disappointment on their home floor at Maaspoort as they edged out Dutch rivals, Donar Groningen, 99-98 in an overtime classic. Thomas Van der Mars played a starring role with a 30-point haul to go with 9 rebounds and 4 assists with four other players reaching double figures.

Groningen had led 85-76 with less than four minutes left in regulation, but would ultimately see their opener end in heartbreak with Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson and Damjan Rudez combining for 45 points in the loss.

Eric McClellan was the hero for Kapfenberg Bulls with his game-winner with 1.4 seconds left sealing a 69-67 triumph against Rilski Sportist. The American finished with a game-high 17 points and 6 rebounds to overcome the Bulgarian side in Samokov. 

UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia secured a thrilling 70-69 triumph over Belfius Mons-Hainaut to open the competition. Jabril Durham hit two late threes in vain for the Belgian side to finish with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in defeat.

Leonardi Candi top scored in the win for Reggio Emilia with 16 points, while Brandon Taylor and recent signing, Petteri Koponen added 14 points apiece. They will face Iraklis BC on Wednesday as the Greek debutants also started with a win; beating Egis Kormend 94-76 behind a 23-point outing from Olivier Hanlan.

There was to be a Romanian double in Group D as Isaiah Philmore scored 15 of his game-high 24 points in the first half to lead BC CSU Sibiu past BC Balkan, 88-75. They put up 30 points in the opening period to establish an early double-digit cushion, and never looked back.

In Group C, Ironi Ness Ziona used a late 7-0 burst to overcome Sporting CP for an 86-81 win , while Arged BMSLAM Stal defeated Szolnoki Olajbanyasz 90-80 to begin their campaign as Chris Smith netted 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting.

Meanwhile, BC Prometey came out on top in the all-Ukrainian Group B battle as they recorded a 72-66 success over BC Kyiv Basket to get off to a winning start.

BC Dnipro rounded out the night's action as they defeated Fribourg Olympic 62-57 to take the early lead at the top of Group E with 14 points for Issuf Sanon.

FIBA