Frontrunners make statements of intent, history for Elazig Il Ozel Idare

MUNICH (Germany) - Those touted as favorites to challenge for the EuroCup Women title showed their teeth with big victories on the first day of the Regular Season, while Elazig Il Ozel Idare wrote a page of history.

Valencia Basket Club SAD made a statement of intent on their home floor with a crushing 82-42 Group H win against Basket Hema SKW. It was built mainly around a 19-point contribution from Australian forward Bec Allen, while there was also a superb 17 points and 16 rebounds in defeat from Billie Massey.

Gintare Petronyte was unstoppable for Italian powerhouse Reyer Venezia, who also look to be strong contenders. They swept aside first-timers Phantoms Basket Boom 118-53 in Group E, as the Lithuanian center barely missed en-route to 23 points and 12 rebounds.

 
There was a historic note for Elazig Il Ozel Idare as they claimed their first ever victory in the competition by beating MBA Moscow 85-74 as Emma Cannon and Kelsey Mitchell combined for 50 points in Group G. 

Elsewhere, Tyasha Harris proved too hot to handle for the Uni Gyor defense in Group A as she showed out with 28 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds to carry Bellona Kayseri Basketbol to an 86-72 victory in Hungary. 

KSC Szekszard were far too deep for BC Promety of Ukraine as they rode out to a convincing 106-80 win, behind a headline 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists from Sara Krnjic.

Ramla of Israel caught the eye as they beat DVTK Aluinvent Miskolc 80-61 in Group B, with their opponents having competed earlier in the campaign in the EuroLeague Women Qualifiers. Betnijah Laney stood out with 20 points and 10 boards.

Hatay were far too strong for fellow Turkish side Adana Basketbol in Group C as they collected a 79-53 success on their home floor. Alexis Prince showed out with a mammoth 24 points and 18 rebounds. There was also a double-double for Peyton Williams, as her 13 points and 11 rebounds inspired Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje past VBW CEKK Cegled 78-61.

KP Brno were winners of a dramatic contest in Group D against InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow as the Czech club sneaked a thrilling 72-70 triumph. Renata Brezinova and Emily Potter both claimed double-doubles, with Teniya Page also adding 17 points and 9 assists.

There looked to be a slice of history waiting for French club Landerneau Bretagne Basket in Group E, but they blew their opportunity for a memorable debut after being pipped 69-68 by BCF Elfic Fribourg Basket - despite 24 points and 9 rebounds from German star Luisa Geiselsoder. It was a big team effort from Fribourg, with Marielle Giroud hitting the winning shot and Aislinn Konig scoring 22 points on a night to remember for the Swiss.

 
Carolo Basket were the first team to get a win on the board early in the day as they cruised past Regular Season debutantes Tenerife 77-59 in Group F. Backcourt combo Amel Bouderra and Yvonne Turner did the business with 16 and 15 points respectively, the former also handing out 6 assists.

In the same group, a powerful 29-point opening period set the path for Lointek Gernika Bizkaia to stroll past BC Roche Vendee BC 82-67 as Angela Bjorklund claimed 22 points.

 
Cadi La Seu repeated their exploits of their impressive first campaign last season with another win this time around. They upset former champions ESBVA-LM 71-69 in Group G, as Quinn Dornstrauder led the way with 14 points and 7 boards.

ACS Sepsi-Sic will still be favorites to top the group and could make a deep run as they showed their potential by storming past Namur 85-48. Montenegro national team guard Jovana Pasic continuing her good shooting form with 16 points, along with 6 rebounds and 4 steals.

Finally in Group H,  Saint-Amand Hainaut Basket took a welcome break from their poor domestic form to put up one of the most eye-catching wins of opening day. They took down Belgian giants Castors Braine 82-64 as Assitan Kone went to work with 17 points and 5 boards. 

FIBA