Galatasaray get tied up by Sosnowiec; Bourges, Reyer too hot to handle

MUNICH (Germany) - The first leg games of the Play-Off Round 1 are in the books and they included a special matchup on Thursday night between Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring and MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec.

They produced one of the games of the season, while a number of clubs thrust themselves towards the next phase by taking commanding victories. 

Key Storylines

- Galatasaray end up with a rare draw against MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec.

- Brilliant Bourges power their way to a huge win.

-  Pulvere shows out as Riga take a huge win at Olympiacos;

-  Girona and Melikgazi Kayseri soar towards next stage.

Thursday, December 14
Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring played out a spectacular 90-90 draw at MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec, with both teams benefiting from some exceptional individual performances.

Julie Vanloo handed out a season-high 14 assists in the competition this season, while her rival Jessica January dished up 12 for Sosnowiec to go with 19 points and 8 boards. Meanwhile Nalyssa Smith showed out with a massive 31 points and 12 points for Galatasaray. 

Tango Bourges Basket showed their title credentials yet again with a stunning 108-51 success against Antalya BSB Toroslar BC. There was just one point between the sides after the opening quarter, but Bourges opened up the offensive taps and posted a devastating 33-7 second period.

In a great team effort, Alix Duchet top scored with 20 points, while Kayla Alexander landed a double-double of 14 points and 11 boards.

Meanwhile, Umana Reyer Venice also went to some serious work in racking up an 83-63 triumph at BCF Elfic Fribourg. As usual, it was Jessica Shepard who stood out with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the Italians.

Wednesday, December 13
TTT Riga were one of several clubs to put in strong first leg performances as they racked up a superb 72-53 road win at Olympiacos SFP. It was Ieva Pulvere who did the damage as the veteran guard showed her class in dropping an all-action 23 points, 6 rebounds, 6 steals and 4 assists.

There was home court joy for Melikgazi Kayseri as they stunned previously unbeaten Movistar Estudiantes by producing a crushing 81-55 triumph, built around a colossal show from Gintare Petronyte, The Lithuanian produced a spectacular double-double of 17 points and 20 boards, while Joyner Holmes also shone with a superb 24 points and 11 rebounds.

Spar Girona are also celebrating a victory on their travels after they took down TARR KSC Szekszard on Hungarian soil 89-77. They benefited from a sparkling 28-13 third quarter which swing the contest in their direction - as well as 25 points from Morgan Bertsch and 21 from the experienced Sandra Ygueravide.

Another Spanish side Cadi La Seu reveled in beating Castors Braine 84-62 as Sierra Campisano went to work by netting a game-high 27 points.

Elsewhere. the city of Brno celebrated as Zabiny Brno won 73-63 in an eye-catching success against Besiktas, with Elissa Cunane impressing after amassing 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. KP TANY Brno also beat Lattes-Montpellier 71-63, helped by 14 points from Karolina Sotolova.

There was also a rare drawn game as French duo Flammes Carolo Basket and Roche Vendee BC were left tied 71-71 after their first meeting with a late three from Kadiatou Sissoko saving the hosts from defeat.

Highs

Efficiency: 37 - Nalyssa Smith (Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring)
Points: 31 – Nalyssa Smith (Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring)
Rebounds: 20 – Gintare Petronyte (Melikgazi Kayseri)
Assists: 14 – Julie Vanloo (Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring)
Steals: 6 - Multiple Players
Blocks: 4– Peyton Williams (NKA Universitas Peac)

Wednesday, December 13

Melikgazi Kayseri 81-55 Movistar Estudiantes
Olympiacos SFP 53-72 TTT Riga
KP TANY Brno 71-63 Lattes-Montpellier
TARR KSC Szekszard 77-89 Spar Girona
Zabiny Brno 73-63 Besiktas
InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow 74-67 Union Feminine Angers
Flammes Carolo Basket 71-71 Roche Vendee BC
Castors Braine 84-62 Cadi La Seu

Thursday, December 14

Panathinaikos AC 56-66 VBW Arka Gdynia 
Antalya BSB Toroslar BC 51-108 Tango Bourges Basket 
NKA Universitas Pecs 75-51 Caledonia Gladiators 
MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec 90-90 Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring 
Bursa Uludag Basketbol 53-77 London Lions 
BCF Elfic Fribourg 63-83 Umana Reyer Venezia 
Kangoeroes Mechelen 75-70 Lointek Gernika Bizkaia 
BDS Dinamo Sassari 79-73 Basket Namur Capitale 

FIBA