MUNICH (Germany) - Perfumerias Avenida fought back from a double-digit deficit on Thursday night to claim a potentially critical road win at DVTK HUNTHERM, while ZVVZ USK Praha produced their most eye-catching display of the season to date. The Czech giants came up with a statement win at Umana Reyer Venezia, while there was another victory for Tango Bourges Basket who improved to 2-1.
Key Storylines
Polkowice almost sink reigning champions Fenerbahce who survive a serious near miss;
Howard drops highest tally by a player this season as her 35 points keep Mersin perfect;
Valencia, Schio and Zaragoza all bounce back from last week's losses;
Avenida come back from double-digit gap to take down DVTK in crunch Group A game.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Emma Cannon (KGHM BC Polkowice) - 33 Points: Natasha Howard (CBK Mersin) - 35 Rebounds: Stephanie Mavunga (Valencia Basket Club) - 12 Assists: Alexis Peterson (KGHM BC Polkowice), Lisa Berkani (Umana Reyer Venezia) - 8 Steals: Marine Fauthoux (CBK Mersin) - 5 Blocks: Multiple Players - 2
Avenida dig deep at DVTK; Conde still in top gear for Praha
Perfumerias Avenida won 68-64 at DVTK HUNTHERM having trailed by as many as 12 points. A massive 24-11 third period and a big triple in the last minute by Andrea Vilaro ultimately got them over the line.
There was also great work from the experienced Laura Gil who had a precious and super smart 12 points and 5 rebounds. ZVVZ USK Praha knew it would be tough at Umana Reyer Venezia after their opponents took the prize scalp of Valencia Basket Club last week, but Maria Conde was unstoppable and helped Praha take a comfortable 86-66 success. The winger was not to be denied with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, while Brionna Jones shone under the basket with a big double-double of 19 points and 11 boards.
Tango Bourges Basket completed the Week 3 action by beating Zabiny Brno 91-70 at Le Prado as the home fans enjoyed them turning the screw in the second-half to ease clear. Forward duo Amy Okonkwo and Kariata Diaby again made people sit up and take notice of their work, with the former recording 24 points and Diaby harvesting fantastic 25 points from 10 of 12 floor shooting.
Nerves shredded as Fenerbahce survive; Howard erupts for CBK Mersin
It was the most entertaining game of the season to date but that will be of little comfort to KGHM BC Polkowice as they were left heartbroken by a 90-88 loss to Fenerbahce Opet. The home fans were on their feet in a rousing conclusion after a spectacular and unexpected display had pushed the champs all the way to the wire.
With Emma Cannon claiming a stellar 28 points and 10 rebounds it looked like they might pull it off, but with the last two shots of the game they were not quite able to dig out a winning shot from three-point range. As usual, Emma Meesseman wrote the headline for Fenerbahce with a team-high 22 points. Natasha Howard proved unstoppable for CBK Mersin as she laid the platform for a comfortable 81-67 triumph at Olympiacos. She exploded into life with a brilliant 35 points and only missed out on a double-double by one rebounds. Valencia Basket Club had a slow start at home to Uni Gyor but eventually strolled to a 74-59 success and ironically it was a Hungarian in the shape of Bernadett Hatar who top scored for the winning side with 12 points. Reka Dombai impressed in defeat with 16 points.
Casademont Zaragoza heaped the misery on last year's Finalists and the still to win Villeneuve d'Ascq LM by taking a 69-53 win on their travels to France. Dominant on the glass and hitting plenty of early shots in the contest, Zaragoza muscled out their rivals with Markeisha Gatling going 7 of 8 from the floor on her way to 18 points.
Finally, Beretta Famila Schio also used their rapid-fire start to build the foundations of their 64-60 win against Basket Landes. They needed that cusion after the visitors rallied in the second-half and almost completed a rescue mission. Costanza Verona, Olbis Andrea and Kitija Laksa all recorded 13 points for Schio.
Results
Thursday, October 24 DVTK HUNTHERM 64-68 Perfumerias Avenida Umana Reyer Venezia 66-86 ZVVZ USK Praha Tango Bourges Basket 91-70 Zabiny Brno
Wednesday, October 23 KGHM BC Polkowice 88-90 Fenerbahce Opet Beretta Famila Schio 64-60 Basket Landes Valencia Basket Club 74-59 Uni Gyor Villeneuve d'Ascq LM 53-69 Casademont Zaragoza Olympiacos 67-81 Mersin CBK
FIBA