MUNICH (Germany) - Just eight clubs are still standing in EuroCup Women as the curtain came down on an absorbing and nail-biting Round of 16 which saw top seeds DVTK HUNTHERM exit the competition and Besiktas JK only just survive on Thursday night. DVTK HUNTHERM blew a 21-point lead in the second leg to complete a rare draw with BAXI Ferrol but lost the first leg by five points and so it was the Spanish history-makers who advance. There was a huge scare for Besiktas JK as they almost blew their 12-point first leg advantage against UFAB 49 but squeezed through by just one basket.
Spar Girona bounced back from a 12-point first leg loss in Pecs to beat NKA Universitas and reach the last eight, with BLMA also coming back to beat Rutronik Stars Keltern and move to the next phase.
On Wednesday night, Villeneuve d'Ascq LM came out on top against Movistar Estudiantes in a tie for the ages as the French club came back from double-digit arrears to get the win they needed in a triple overtime classic. LDLC ASVEL Feminin celebrated a huge win against Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring to seal their ticket, while there also joy for Sopron Basket and BDS Dinamo Sassari who ride into the next phase.
Key Storylines
- Villeneuve take honors in a triple-overtime drama to move to the last eight; - Spanish first-timers BAXI Ferrol topple number one seeds DVTK HUNTHERM; - ASVEL produce a five star show to storm past Galatasaray and jump to the Quarter-Finals;
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Shavonte Zellous (Villeneuve d'Ascq LM) - 27 Points: Carla Leite (Villeneuve d'Ascq LM) - 28 Rebounds: Multiple players - 14 Assists: Debora Carangelo (BDS Dinamo Sassari) - 10 Steals: Reka Dombai (Uni Gyor) - 5 Blocks: Brianna Fraser (Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring) - 3
Ferrol in dreamland; Besiktas left sweating on their spot
BAXI Ferrol could only have dreamed they would not only come through this season's Qualifiers but ride into this season's Quarter-Finals. Yet this is what happened after they followed up a 5-point win in the first game by clawing a 60-60 draw at DVTK HUNTHERM with a remarkable comeback from 21 points down.
While their Hungarian opponents will be kicking themselves for the decision they made in crunch time, the top seeds are out after Ferrol's unlikely heroics - not least a shared 32 points from Gala Mestres and Angela Mataix. Besiktas JK were looking to cruise into the Quarter-Finals having racked up a 12-point success on the road at UFAB 49 last week, but were almost stung fatally as they went down 76-66 on home soil. They were just an Ameryst Alston last ditch triple attempt away from being dumped out of the competition and had Elif Bayram to thank for her vital basket in the closing seconds - as well as 17 points from Dana Evans. Spar Girona left Hungary with a 12-point deficit to make up against NKA Universitas Pecs and they completed the rescue mission with an imposing 88-65 triumph. Klara Lundquist lit it up with 21 points, while teammates Chloe Bibby and Borislova Hristova both dropped 20 apiece.
BLMA kept their cool to come back from a 6-point defeat at Rutronik Stars Keltern to ride past their opponents 63-45 in the return game and move safely into the Quarter-Finals. The victory was founded on 10 points and 10 rebounds from Dulcy Fankam, plus 17 points from Nell Angloma.
Villeneuve take unforgettable triple OT win; ASVEL find top gear
Villeneuve d'Ascq LM fans are unlikely to forget their team's 108-90 triple overtime win against a devastated Movistar Estudiantes for quite some time. Down by 10 points from the first meeting, they were up by 10 points at the end of regulation, the end of the first overtime period and also the second overtime period.
By the time the third overtime came, they made their move and finally outlasted their opponents. Carla Leite was a difference-maker with a super 28 points - as was fellow guard Shavonte Zellous.
LDLC ASVEL Feminin produced arguably their best performance of the campaign to blast their way past a star-studded and shocked Galatasaray 87-56 in an eye-catching team effort.
Dominque Malonga looked unstoppable at times as they made the Quarter-Finals off the back of her 18 points and 14 boards. There was also a double-double of 10 points and 14 rebounds from Laura Quevedo, while Dayshanette Harris excelled again with 16 points and 5 assists.
Sopron Basket completed a win-double against Hungarian rivals Uni Gyor, following up their first-leg victory on the road with an 80-62 triumph on their home floor. A 20-point contribution from Tijana Krivacevic was the standout display.
BDS Dinamo Sassari registered another double-digit win against IDK Euskotren and it was Sparkle Taylor who showed out again. She netted 27 points in an 83-71 win for the Italian side who are in the Quarter-Finals having started the season in the Qualifiers. Debora Carangelo also shone brightly with 16 points and 10 assists.
Results
Thursday, January 16 DVTK HUNTHERM 60-60 BAXI Ferrol Besiktas JK 66-76 UFAB 49 Spar Girona 88-65 Universitas Pecs BLMA 63-45 Rutronik Stars Keltern
Wednesday, January 15 LDLC ASVEL Feminin 87-56 Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring IDK Euskotren 71-83 BDS Dinamo Sassari Villeneuve d'Ascq LM 108-90 Movistar Estudiantes Sopron Basket 80-62 Uni Gyor
FIBA