Szekszard ink first ever win in double OT thriller, Bourges deny Virtus landmark night

MUNICH (Germany) - Atomeromu KSC Szekszard will never forget their opening Regular Season win after getting it done in double overtime, while Virtus Segafredo Bologna are wondering what might have been.

After 15 consecutive Regular Season losses including an unwanted 0-14 record in their first campaign last year, Szekszard are finally up and running after claiming a historic first victory. They came out on top in a memorable 103-101 double overtime epic against Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding. 

In an incredible roller-coaster, they eventually got it done, helped by a go-ahead three in the last 90 seconds from Agnes Studer who finished with 16 points and 9 assists. Cyesha Goree netted 30 points and Victoria Vivians dropped 25, while Natasha Howard and Kayla McBride harvested 28 points apiece for the visitors.

Virtus had hoped to join Szekszard in celebrating a landmark night in front of their own supporters, but were outlasted 64-61 by Tango Bourges Basket. A typically rugged and hard-nosed defensive effort from the visitors was key as Cecilia Zandalasini tried to find the game-winner twice down the stretch having shone in the first half.

Bologna were punished for making just 22 of 66 attempts from two-point range. They exploded for 29 points in the second quarter but barely reached double-digits in the other three.  Zandalasini fired 22 points, Iliana Rupert had 10 points and 13 boards against her former team, while the 2-0 Bourges had four players in double-figures, with Kayla Alexander collecting a double double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Defending champions Sopron Basket have launched the defense of their cherished title in positive fashion after they moved to 2-0 with a fabulous 75-50 success at CBK Mersin Yenisehir Bld who are searching for a first victory.

The Hungarian visitors were fuelled once again by a brilliant showing from Brittney Sykes who showed out in a big way with 18 points, 12 assists and 5 steals. Jelena Brooks weighed in with an important 19 points cameo while it was a special night for Zsofia Fegyverneky who made her 250th appearance in the competition.  

A week after a vibrant win against Fenerbahce at home, BC Polkowice are celebrating their first road win of the campaign as they collected a convincing 83-70 triumph at Olympiacos SFP. Having trailed by eight points at the end of the first period, the Polish side came alive with two brilliant middle quarters to take control.

Despite Megan Gustafson pouring in 30 points for the hosts, Polkowice had their own focal point as Greek forward Artemis Spanou returned to her homeland in style with a fantastic 27 points and 11 boards. Steph Mavunga also added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Valerine Vukosavljevic had one of the best games of her career in the competition and proved too hot to handle for the Valencia Basket Club defense. She catapulted ZVVZ USK Praha to an 83-76 road win in Spain.

The French winger recorded 33 points in the contest, also adding 5 boards and 3 steals, while her Praha colleague Alyssa Thomas threatened a repeat of last week's triple-double. The forward finished with 11 points,10 rebounds and 7 assists, with the visitors having the edge on the glass all night and taking great care of the ball to move to 2-0.

Perfumerias Avenida always enjoy home comforts thanks to the noise of their fans at Pabellon Wurzburg and they followed up their opening night success against Mersin by beating Basket Landes 81-57.

The French visitors had led by a point at the interval, but Avenida engaged defensive beast mode when the action resumed to take charge. Julia Reisingerova led with 21 points and 8 rebounds, fellow center Mariella Fasoula also had a fine 18 points and 7 boards. Aleksandra Crvendakic returned a double-double of 13 points and 12 boards.

Finally, Spar Girona jumped all over Beretta Famila Schio right from the tip-off and took their second victory of the campaign by rolling their way to an 83-63 success. They never had cause to look back after a 25-15 opening 10 minutes of action, with Rebekah Gardner the leader again after posting a team-high 14 points.

FIBA