MUNICH (Germany) - A number of leading teams in the competition including the likes of Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring, Besiktas JK, Villeneuve d'Ascq L, Sopron Basket and Rutronik Stars Keltern are all eyeing the Round of 16 after posting big first leg advantages in the Play-Off Round 1. Villeneuve d'Ascq LM started their participation after their recent EuroLeague Women adventures by strolling past CSM Constanta, while Sopron Basket won what had looked to be a tricky one at Geas Basket. There were also significant victories for both BAXI Ferrol and BLMA who will be favorites to now advance.
There was an incredible drawn game between Kibirkstis Vilnius and LDLC ASVEL Feminin who were inseparable at 85-85 which makes the second game particularly mouth-watering. One of the most impressive results came when Keltern completed a lockdown of Tarbes Gespe Bigorre and they will now defend a 15-point margin in the return matchup next week. Big wins were also completed by UFAB 49, along with Hungarian duo Uni Gyor and NKA Universitas Pecs.
Key Storylines
Istanbul duo Galatasaray and Besiktas both show their muscles and champion potential;
Kibirkstis and ASVEL draw 85-85 to set up what could be another classic in the second leg;
Keltern stun Tarbes Gespe Bigorre as they rack up eye-catching win.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Kamila Borkowska (MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec) - 37 Points: Ruth Hebard (VBW Gdynia) - 29 Rebounds: Daugile Use (Kibirkstis Vilnius) - 18 Assists: Gabby Nikitinaite (MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec), Monique Akoa Makani (Charnay Basket) - 10 Steals: Julie Wojta (LDLC ASVEL Feminin) - 7 Blocks: Daugile Use (Kibirkstis Vilnius) - 4
Quartet get onto the front foot; No separating Kibirkstis and ASVEL
Four teams lit it up on Thursday night to get rolling in the direction of the Round of 16, including Sopron Basket who were too good for Geas Basket. The Hungarians claimed a 79-66 road win as Zala Friskovec held the hot-hand and harvested 25 points.
Villeneuve d'Ascq LM who rolled past CSM Constanta 88-69 with 23 points and 10 boards from Aminata Gueye. BLMA flew past Neptunas Amberton 96-60 as Garance Rabot caught fire with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, while BAXI Ferrol had to come through the Qualifiers but are flying now and beat Castors Braine 83-58. The biggest game of the night didn't see anyone take the win after Kibirkstis Vilnius and LDLC ASVEL Feminin played out a breathtaking 85-85 draw. Daugile Use had 11 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks for the home team, while Julie Wojta grabbed a super 7 steals for ASVEL and Juste Jocyte netted 19 points.
Go-time for Galatasaray and Besiktas; Girona ride roller-coaster
Turkish heavyweights Galatasaray swept aside Crvena Zvezda 95-72 in a powerful team effort as six different ballers all posted double-digit scoring returns.
They were led by 23 points from Julie Vanloo, who also showed out by passing the rock 9 times in the contest.
Meanwhile, Istanbul city rivals Besiktas did the business 80-64 at InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow behind a perfect shooting effort from Croatian guard Mihaela Lazic who finished with 14 points and 5 steals.
Rutronik Stars Keltern shocked Tarbes Gespe Bigorre by suffocating them defensively and taking a 60-45 homecourt triumph. Serbian forward Mina Djordjevic paved the way with a smart double-double of 13 points and 14 boards.
Uni Gyor picked up a handy 15-point advantage in their success at Hungarian rivals TARR KSC Szekszard as they rode out 92-77 winners, thanks mainly to Virag Kiss who went to work with 24 points and 7 rebounds.
NKA Universitas Pecs were far too strong for Olympiacos as they moved past the Greek side with ease 85-63. The loss was tough for Eleanna Christinaki who had 19 points and 10 boards for the visitors.
UFAB 49 were big winners as they stormed past MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec 86-50, despite an extraordinary effort from Kamila Borkowska in defeat as she dropped 23 points and 15 rebounds.
Spar Girona rescued a sticky situation as they fell behind by double-digits at La Molisana Campobasso, but a massive 25-14 last quarter turned things around. A narrow 75-73 win sets up the return game in the second leg perfectly.
There was also a rare draw as Charnay Basket and IDK Euskotren could not be separated after 40 minutes as the first leg finished at 68-68.
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