MUNICH (Germany) - LDLC ASVEL Feminin look like the team to beat in the race to be crowned EuroCup Women champions as they impressed by coming back to take down a dangerous Spar Girona. They wrapped up a Semi-Finals place and will lineup alongside Sopron Basket, Villeneuve d'Ascq LM and BAXI Ferrol in the penultimate phase of this season's tournament.
Key Storylines
- ASVEL hit back after first leg loss to Girona and lock them down for big win; - BAXI Ferrol continue rookie adventure by landing in the last four; - ESBVA and Besiktas play out rare draw but win in Istanbul takes French side through; - Sopron soar into the next stage as BLMA struggle to bridge gap from first leg.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Alexis Peterson (Besiktas JK) - 28 Points: Alexis Peterson (Besiktas JK- 25 Rebounds: Dominique Malonga (LDLC ASVEL Feminin) - 14 Assists: Stephanie Reid (Sopron Basket), Romane Bernies (BLMA) - 10 Steals: Aminata Gueye (Villeneuve d'Ascq LM) - 5 Blocks: Julie Wojta (LDLC ASVEL Feminin) - 2
ASVEL shut down Girona to justify favorites label
Having went down by four points last week, ASVEL turned around their tie with Spar Girona in convincing fashion as they carved out a brilliant 72-51 success to race into the Semi-Finals. Their defense was outstanding and blunted a free-scoring opponent who had no answer to the tenacity of the hosts.
ASVEL produced a real team performance, but with Dominique Malonga leading the way as usual. The center harvested a massive double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, with Juste Jocye adding 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Fairytale ride for Ferrol heads into a new chapter
The incredible rise of BAXI Ferrol will continue after the Spanish rookies jumped into the Semi-Finals off the back of an 89-70 win against BDS Dinamo Sassari who they beat just as comfortably in the first encounter.
Having had to come through the Qualifiers, Ferrol are now dreaming of silverware. Angela Mataix continues to have a sensational season and was the top performer for her team with 19 points and 8 assists, while Julie Pospisilova had an all-action 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
Villeneuve get the job done against Besiktas
It was an exciting second leg game as Villeneuve drew 81-81 against Besiktas, but the outcome of the tie was emphatic as the French hosts stormed through courtesy of their first leg success.
Shavonte Zellous came alive for Villeneuve with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, while Alexis Peterson showed out for Besiktas with 25 points as their run came to an end.
Sopron sail into the last four despite loss at BLMA
Holding a healthy 33-point lead, Sopron were never in serious danger of missing out on a Semi-Finals ticket as so it proved after losing 69-57 at BLMA but still easing into the next stage. A late surge into the final quarter by the home side was too little, too late, always looking a long way from overturning the damage from the first game.
Jasmine Bailey's 10 points and 10 boards paced BLMA along with 10 dimes from Romane Bernies. Jacinta Monroe replied with 18 points and 10 rebounds for Sopron, with Stephanie Reid also handed out 10 assists.
Results
Thursday, February 27
LDLC ASVEL Feminin 72-51 Spar Girona (144-128 on aggregate) Villeneuve d'Ascq LM 81-81 Besiktas JK (172-153 on aggregate) BAXI Ferrol 89-70 BDS Dinamo Sassari (185-145 on aggregate) BLMA 69-57 Sopron Basket (120-141 on aggregate)
FIBA