MUNICH (Germany) – The penultimate week of the FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season concluded on Wednesday, with a number of spots still to be decided in the race to the Second Round.
Tofas Bursa, Cholet Basket, Bilbao Basket and Spirou Basket all improved to 5-0 on Wednesday to join Banco di Sardegna Sassari, CSM CSU Oradea, and BC Kalev/Cramo - who qualified on Tuesday - in the Second Round, as well as Casademont Zaragoza.
Key Storylines
Tofas, Spirou, Bilbao, Kalev/Cramo, Zaragoza and Cholet all advance;
Six from six for super Sassari with road win in Poland;
Klavs Cavars sets new FIBA Europe Cup single-game high in blocks;
Porto stun PAOK to inflict first loss on Greek side.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Multiple players - 34 Points: Jeriah Horne (Alba Fehervar) - 31 Rebounds: Fardaws Aimaq (NHSZ-Szolnoki Olajbanyasz) - 15 Assists: Quinten Smout (Spirou Basket) - 12 Steals: Eric Nottage (Fribourg Olympic) - 7 Blocks: Klavs Cavars (BC Sabah) - 8
Four teams punch ticket to Second Round on Wednesday
Spirou Basket qualified for the next phase with a thrilling 93-86 victory over Norrkoping Dolphins. The Belgian side shot 51 percent from the field, with Quinten Smout in sublime form, hitting four triples for his 25 points, as well as dishing out 12 assists.
Tofas Bursa sealed their spot into the Second Round with a convincing 93-61 win over Petrolina AEK on Wednesday, improving to 5-0 in Group A. Kris Bankson led a well-rounded scoring effort with 17 points and 7 rebounds, as he shot 75 percent from the field.
Also joining the Second Round party were Cholet Basket, who beat Windrose Giants Antwerp 90-77 to improve to 5-0 in Group C. Bastien Vautier is continuing in November where he left off as the October MVP led the French side with 17 points and 8 rebounds.
Bilbao Basket advanced to the Second Round as they comfortably saw-off BC Kutaisi 2010 91-63 to remain flawless in Group G, while BC Kalev/Cramo secured their fifth successive win by beating Rilski Sportist 88-76 - having had their qualification confirmed 24 hours earlier.
Casademont Zaragoza also advanced as they ensured top spot in Group B after claiming the head-to-head over Patrioti Levice with a convincing 92-71 success, with Santi Yusta leading five players in double figures with 19 points.
Elsewhere, CSM CSU Oradea remain unbeaten in Group E with an 85-67 success over BC Parmu Sadam, and Banco di Sardegna Sassari completed a perfect campaign with a narrow 86-83 road win against Anwil Wloclawek.
There was also a dominant victory for FC Porto as they eased past previously unbeaten PAOK 99-64, behind a 27-point haul from Max Landis - claiming the head-to-head in the process.
Le Portel still has hope of Second Round, MHP RIESEN dominant
A solid first-half showing paved the way for ESSM Le Portel's 104-80 road win over Alba Fehervar in Group F. The French side dominated over the opening twenty minutes, racing to a 55-31 lead as they left their Hungarian counterparts for dust. Kristers Zoriks led Le Portel with 22 points, draining four three-pointers, as the team hit 15 overall. Jeriah Horne impressed with 31 points for Alba who are now eliminated from Second Round contention with defeat.
MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg recovered from last week's shock loss to the Caledonia Gladiators with a thumping 87-54 win over BC Trepca to stay on course to advance from Group H with their 4-1 record.
Justin Simon didn't have a great shooting night - going 3-of-10 - but made up for it with 11 free throws among his 17 points, whilst adding 4 steals.
In the night's other game, Hubo Limburg United defeated NHSZ-Szolnoki Olajbanyasz 77-74 in a close battle, though they need the other result in Group I to go their way to stay in contention.
FIBA