Gravelines win it at the buzzer, Legia put on a show for first win

MUNICH (Germany) - It was a dramatic night to end the FIBA Europe Cup action in 2023 including a game-winner in France with four teams still unbeaten.

BCM Gravelines Dunkerque, NINERS Chemnitz, Bahcesehir College and Surne Bilbao Basket all top their Second Round groups with two wins from two.

Key Storylines

- Cornely the hero for Gravelines;

- NINERS stay perfect on the season alongside Bilbao;

- Leiden secure impressive win in Italy.

A game-winner from Thomas Cornely on the buzzer lifted Gravelines to a dramatic 70-69 triumph over Casademont Zaragoza. The French side made a dominant start to the fourth to lead by 16, but needed a late comeback of their own, sparked by a Chris Babb triple with 32 seconds left.

Bahcesehir College also secured their second win in the Second Round, as they saw-off Sporting CP 82-67 in Group L. Tyler Cavanaugh paced the Turkish side with 19 points and 9 rebounds in an all-around sublime performance with Phil Scrubb adding 18 points and 6 assists.

Meanwhile, Christian Vital exploded for 34 points as Legia Warszawa put on a shooting clinic in their convincing 111-72 win over Jonava CBet to get off the mark in style in Group L.

ZZ Leiden pulled out an impressive 82-79 victory on the road against Itelyum Varese to leave the Italian side in trouble at 0-2. Tajion Jones starred for the visitors with a 30-point haul, while Gabe Brown's effort of 23 points and 15 rebounds was not enough for Varese.

It was an enjoyable night for German sides as BG Gottingen picked up their first win by fending off Balkan Botevgrad 76-70, while NINERS Chemnitz overcame CSM CSU Oradea for a 95-79 road success to keep up their perfect record in the competition this season.

ERA Nymburk were another side to claim their first win of the Second Round as they eased past Manisa BBSK 84-62 behind 20 points and 8 assists from Jitaurious Gordon.

On Tuesday, Surne Bilbao Basket recovered from a poor first half to edge FC Porto 75-72 as they wiped out a 15-point deficit before needing to hold on late in the contest. Adam Smith had 18 points to lead the Spaniards to 2-0 in Group K.

Highs

Efficiency: 36 - Christian Vital (Legia Warszawa)
Points: 34 - Christian Vital (Legia Warszawa)
Rebounds: 15 - Gabe Brown (Itelyum Varese)
Assists: 8 - Alex Renfroe (Surne Bilbao Basket), Jitaurious Gordon (ERA Nymburk)
Steals: 5 - Christian Vital (Legia Warszawa)
Blocks: 4- Thomas Bell (ERA Nymburk)

Tuesday, December 12

Group K: FC Porto 72-75 Surne Bilbao Basket 

Wednesday, December 13

Group K: BG Gottingen 76-70 Balkan Botevgrad
Group L: Legia Warszawa 111-72 Jonava CBet, Sporting CP 67-82 Bahcesehir College
Group M: ERA Nymburk 84-62 Manisa BBSK, BCM Gravelines Dunkerque 70-69 Casademont Zaragoza
Group N: CSM CSU Oradea 79-95 NINERS Chemnitz, Itelyum Varese 79-82 ZZ Leiden

FIBA