London Lions, Kangoeroes Basket claim stunning first-leg wins in Play-Off Round 1

MUNICH (Germany) - There were major surprises in the EuroCup Women Play Off Round 1 first leg games and none more so than lowest-ranked side London Lions beating highest-ranked club Bourges Basket.

The Lions  pipped their illustrious French opponents 65-64 on an historic night for British Basketball. Jo Leedham, who won the 2016 EuroCup Women title with Bourges, haunted her ex-employers with 16 points. 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

Kangoeroes Basket are ranked 23rd and shot down 10th-ranked Polkowice 83-70, although the Belgian side may even feel slightly disappointed, since they led by as many as 27 points at one stage. Chile powerhouse Ziomara Morrison was a colossus with 30 points and 15 rebounds, with Steph Mavunga accruing 16 points and 16 boards for Polkowice. 

MBK Ruzomberok almost caused an upset but eventually played out a rare draw with Nadezhda as both teams ended up locked 86-86 in an entertaining first meeting. The hosts were fueled by 31 points from Adrienne Motley who went 9 of 10 from the floor, with Markeisha Gatling productive for the visitors as she added 15 points and 9 boards.

It proved a really mixed night for French clubs as Tarbes, Roche Vendee and Flammes all joined Bourges in suffering first-leg defeats.

Flammes were squeezed out 78-75 at home to Movistar Estudiantes despite 18 points and 10 rebounds from Evelyn Akhator, although things could have been worse as they trailed by double digits with less than four minutes remaining.

Natasha Mack went to serious work for AZS UMCS Lublin with a stellar 26 points and 19 rebounds as they shot down Tarbes GB 72-55.  

First-timers Nika Syktyvkar look like they could be in line for a majorly deep run after taking a stunning 103-74 home triumph against Roche Vendee. Azura Stevens was unstoppable with a dazzling 28 points and 14 rebounds.

There was at least some cheers for French basketball as LDLC ASVEL Feminin collected a huge victory on their travels by racing past Hatayspor 110-63. Five players reached double-figures in points - led by the sharp-shooting Marine Johannes with 20. There was also an all-action display from Julie Allemand with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. 

Villeneuve d'Ascq also took a big step towards the next phase as they crushed Tenerife 93-56 with Jolene Anderson the pick of the crop with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. 

Elsewhere, Olympiacos SFP got onto the front foot in their tie against WBC Enisey thanks to a super showing from Michelle Plouffe. The Canadian caused the home defense big problems with 29 points and 7 rebounds taking the Greeks to an 85-70 road win.

Castors Braine collected an impressive 86-75 success at Neve David Ramla as Belgian rising star Maxuella Lisowa Mbaka racked up a spectacular double-double of 24 points and 17 boards. Courtey Williams netted 25 points in defeat.

Teaira McCowan erupted as usual for Orman Genclik who now look well set to advance after her towering performance of 27 points and 18 rebounds took her side past ACS Sepsi-SIC 80-52 in Romania.

With only one place separating them in the rankings, it always looked like a potentially tight one between DVTK and Zabiny Brno, with that theory borne out as the latter scraped a precious 61-57 win at their rivals.

NKA Universitas PEAC were undone on their home floor 71-68 by Nesibe Aydin, with Alaina Coates a difference-maker. Her excellent shooting display garnered 21 points and 11 boards to hand the advantage to the Turkish team.

One-time tournament front-runners CBK Mersin Yenisehir Bld changed their coach during the week, but suffered a huge loss as they crashed 83-59 at Lointek Gernika. They got torched by a brilliant 32 points from Melisa Brcaninovic. 

Finally, reigning champions Valencia BC showed their quality by winning 80-63 at KKZ Crvena Zvezda as Queralt Casas stole the show with 14 points and 11 assists.

FIBA