Smith, Bilbao silence defending champions; Zaragoza survive OT thriller

MUNICH (Germany) - Surne Bilbao Basket benefited from heroics on the road against the reigning champions, whereas Casademont Zaragoza claimed an overtime victory in a thrilling start to the FIBA Europe Cup 2023-24 Regular Season.

There were a grand total of 16 games played on Wednesday after FC Porto had set things off on Tuesday with a 79-71 win against Norrkoping Dolphins to get the action underway.

Key Storylines

- Last two champions Anwil and Bahcesehir drop home openers;

- Casademont Zaragoza come through an overtime thriller in Italy;
- Turkish newcomers Manisa BBSK spoil return of Bakken Bears.

Last season's champions Anwil Wloclawek fell to Surne Bilbao Basket in an 83-79 defeat as Adam Smith came up with a huge three-pointer late on. Veteran Alex Renfroe played an important hand for the Spaniards with 22 points off the bench to get their campaign off to a winning start.

ERA Nymburk were one of the many teams to pull out a late victory on the road as they stunned the crowd in Turkiye in an 89-88 nailbiter. Bahcesehir College held a seven point lead early in the fourth quarter, yet fell victim to a 21-8 run by the visitors. Nymburk were led by Jitaurious Gordon who scored 26 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field.

Happy Casa Brindisi made a run for it in front of their crowd after trailing 54-64 early in the fourth. Jajuan Johnson's turnaround shot in the post made it overtime, however, it was Zaragoza that had the last laugh behind 22 points by Trae Bell-Haynes in a 91-87 overtime triumph.

Danish powerhouse Bakken Bears can be added to the list of disappointed home teams. Their return to the FIBA Europe Cup was dampened by Manisa BBSK and Daron Russell who scored or assisted on the visitors 12 last points in a 82-76 win for the Turkish side.

Petrolina AEK were one of only seven teams to come up triumphant on their home turf in a 78-76 victory against Rostock Seawolves. The hosts survived a low-scoring ending, with Robin Amaize missing a last-second shot to potentially tie the game. Taveion Hollingsworth came up huge for AEK in a 25-point and 13-rebound performance that helped him record a gameday high of 39 efficiency.

Hollingsworth's effort was somewhat challenged by Itelyum Varese point guard Olivier Hanlan who made use of his team's 17-of-34 shooting from deep as he dished out 16 assists in a 95-80 win against Keravnos BC.

Highs

Efficiency: 39 – Taveion Hollingsworth (Petrolina AEK)
Points: 30 – Tahj Eaddy (Karhu Basket), Erick Neal (CSM CSU Oradea)
Rebounds: 14 – Travis Taylor (Keravnos BC)
Assists: 16 – Olivier Hanlan (Itelyum Varese)
Steals: 5 – Justin Edler Davis (KB Peja), Lucas Kruithof (ZZ Leiden)
Blocks: 3 – Multiple players.

Wednesday, October 18

Group A: Sporting CP 83-79 Arconic-Alba Fehervar
Group B: BC CSU Sibiu 68-80 Caledonia Gladiators; Anwil Wloclawek 79-83 Surne Bilbao Basket
Group C: Karhu Basket 88-104 Jonava CBet; Petrolina AEK 78-76 Rostock Seawolves
Group D: Bahcesehir College 88-89 ERA Nymburk; KK Mornar - Barsko zlato 80-75 Sabah BC
Group E: Bakken Bears 76-82 Manisa BBSK
Group F: Happy Casa Brindisi 87-91 Casademont Zaragoza
Group G: ZZ Leiden 77-69 BCM Gravelines Dunkerque
Group H: NINERS Chemnitz 98-72 KB Peja; Heroes Den Bosch 89-92 PGE Spojnia Stargard
Group I: Keravnos BC 80-95 Itelyum Varese; BG Gottingen 86-81 BC TSU Tbilisi
Group J: CSM CSU Oradea 91-93 Patrioti Levice; Legia Warszawa 85-62 Kataja Basket

Tuesday, October 17

Group E: Norrkoping Dolphins 71-79 FC Porto

FIBA