MUNICH (Germany) - Surprise package BAXI Ferrol showed no signs of slowing down in their pursuit of EuroCup Women silverware in their first ever season after jumping all over LDLC ASVEL Feminin in the first leg of their Semi-Finals matchup.
In the other tie played on Thursday night, there was better news for French basketball as Villeneuve d'Ascq LM grabbed a handy seven point advantage against Sopron Basket for next weeks second meeting.
The second leg games will take place next week on Thursday, March 13.
Daily Highs
Efficiency: Claire Melia (BAXI Ferrol) - 28 Points: Claire Melia (BAXI Ferrol) - 27 Rebounds: Aminata Gueye (Villeneuve d'Ascq LM) - 8 Assists: Carla Leite (Villeneuve d'Ascq LM), Angela Mataix (BAXI Ferrol) - 6 Steals: Jelena Brooks (Sopron Basket) - 6 Blocks: Multiple Players - 1
Ferrol light it up with Melia magic to shock ASVEL
ASVEL have come from behind in many games this season but it will take something seriously special to take down Ferrol after the Spanish rookies produced their best display of the season to claim a stunning 93-62 first leg triumph.
In one of the biggest shocks in memory in terms of the size of victory, the newcomers will feel they already have one foot in the Final.
Ireland national team powerhouse Claire Melia had her best game of the campaign and that paced the win. She recorded 27 points and was supported by Blanca Millan with 18 points, 6 boards and 5 assists.
ASVEL had Dominique Malonga and Dayshanette Harris scoring 17 and 15 points respectively, but the team shot poorly from long-range making just 4 of 25 attempts.
Advantage Villleneuve after success in Sopron
They may have had a slow start on the road in Hungary, but Villeneuve d'Ascq LM were cooking by the last quarter as a late surge handed them a precious 73-66 first leg victory. A seven point lead and home court advantage will make them favorites to now finish the job and make the Final.
Inflicting only a second home loss of the campaign on Sopron, the visitors showed their teeth defensively and inside, shooting a super 63 percent from two-point range.
Experienced campaigner Shavonte Zellous produced another all-action effort with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, while fellow veteran Jelena Brooks just about kept Sopron in the tie with 18 points and 6 steals.
FIBA