Movistar Estudiantes, Spar Girona celebrate amongst first teams to advance

MUNICH (Germany) - There were celebrations for a number of clubs on Wednesday night who all booked their spots for the next phase of EuroCup Women as they secured their place in the Play-Off Round 1.

Key Storylines

-  Nine clubs advance to the Play-Off Round 1.

-  Great night for French basketball as a trio of clubs claim victories;

-  October MVP Hines-Allen hot again for Galatasaray;

-  Shepard posts sensational 55 performance efficiency valuation.

Several French clubs took the early step to the second stage, including Tango Bourges Basket as they were the first to seal their place as they chalked up a convincing 99-67 Group H success at Antalya BSB Toroslar BC.

That was built around 24 points from Kamile Nacickaite who got hot from long range and also 11 assists from Sarah Michel.

Lattes-Montpellier also won on their travels, but had to work hard to see off MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec 81-70 in Group D. Mamignan Toure and Ameryst Alston shared 34 points, while Garance Rabot grabbed a stellar 7 steals. 

Union Femine Angers made light work of Kibirkstis in Group C as a great first-half laid the foundation for a 90-52 triumph. Rising star Marine Dursus was exceptional with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 7 steals. 

That result facilitated Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring following their group rivals as the juggernauts rode out 83-76 winners against CSM Constanta. As usual it was October MVP Myisha Hines-Allen who showed out, with the frontcourt ace claiming 15 points and 15  rebounds.

The most compelling contest involving a team who take the next step was InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow who won a gripping Group B matchup 83-81 against Piestanske Cajky. Chloe Bibby had a career night 33 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in victory.

That also opened the door for Spar Girona to progress as they came out on top 86-68 at T71 Diddeleng thanks mainly to Kelsey Mitchell netting 20 points, plus 13 points and 9 assists from Laura Pena.

Fellow Spanish side Movistar Estudiantes snapped up a place although it proved to be a nail-biting and defensively dominated 54-47 home win in Group K against BDS Dinamo Sassari. Holding their opponents to just 5 points in the third quarter was key - as was 14 points and 9 rebounds from Marena Whittle.

Finally, both Castors Braine and London Lions will enter the Play-Off Round 1 after getting the wins they needed in Group I.

The former blasted past Rutronik Stars Keltern 97-69 behind 20 points, 9 boards and 5 assists from Jessica Lindstrom, while London took care of business 79-60 at home to GDESSA-Barreiro as Karlie Samuelson set the ball rolling with some sharp perimeter shooting to finish with 19 points, with Temi Fagbenle unstoppable in the paint with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. 

Highs

Efficiency: 55 – Jessica Shepard (Umana Reyer Venezia)
Points: 40 – Jessica Shepard (Umana Reyer Venezia)
Rebounds: 15 – Jacinta Monroe TARR KSC Szekszard)
Assists: 11 – Sarah Michel (Tango Bourges Basket)
Steals: 7 – Garance Rabot (Lattes-Montpellier), Marine Dursus (Union Feminine Angers)
Blocks: 5 – Anna Jurcenkova (Piestansky Cajky)

Wednesday, November 1

Group A - Cadi Le Seu 69-66 Zabiny Brno; Eleftheria Moschatou 58-96 Flammes Carolo Basket
Group B - InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow 83-81 Piestanske Cajky; T71 Diddeleng 68-86 Spar Girona
Group C - CSM Constanta 76-83 Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring; Union Feminine Angers 90-52 Kibirkstis
Group D - MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec 70-81 Lattes-Montpellier
Group E - Slavia Banska Bystrica 43-87 Besiktas; Panathinaikos AC 80-84 Kangoeroes Mechelen
Group F - Olympiacos SFP 73-95 Meligazi Kayseri; MBK Ruzomberok 54-71 TTT Riga
Group G - Basket Namur Capitale 73-59 SL Benfica
Group H - Antalya BSB Toroslar BC 67-99 Tango Bourges Basket; KP TANY Brno 95-59 BBC Grengewald
Group I - Castors Braine 97-69 Rutronik Stars Keltern; London Lions 79-60 GDESSA-Barreiro 
Group J - ZKK Ragusa Dubrovnik 34-113 Umana Reyer Venezia; NKA Universitas Pecs 78-52 Bursa Uludag Basketbol
Group K - Levhartice Chomutov 89-95 TARR KSC Szekszard
Group L - VBW Arka Gdynia 86-61 Roche Vendee BC; Emlak Konut SK 71-62 BCF Elfic Fribourg

FIBA