MUNICH (Germany) - BAXI Ferrol and Villeneuve d'Ascq LM look to be charging towards the last four of the competition after they both grabbed huge Quarter-Finals first leg victories on the road on Thursday night. Sopron Basket will also feel they have a great chance of making the next phase after sweeping aside BLMA with a blistering three-point shooting effort 24 hours earlier. Meanwhile Spar Girona and LDLC ASVEL Feminin played out a classic encounter, with the former snatching a slender 5-point advantage to take into next week's return game.
Key Storylines
- Ferrol erupt in last quarter at Sassari to seal huge lead; - Villeneuve jump towards Semi-Finals with a 19-point win in Istanbul as young gun Leite shines; - Natasha Mack carries Spar Girona past ASVEL in narrow win to set up a blockbuster second leg; - Sopron rack up a huge 27-point advantage against BLMA ;
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Natasha Mack (Spar Girona) - 32 Points: Carla Leite (Villeneuve'd'Ascq) - 28 Rebounds: Natasha Mack (Spar Girona) - 13 Assists: Stephanie Reid (Sopron Basket) - 12 Steals: Stephanie Reid (Sopron Basket) - 3 Blocks: Natasha Mack (Spar Girona) - 6
Ferrol finish off Sassari with a late flourish
A sensational last 38-19 period for Ferrol put them onto the front foot against BDS Dinamo Sassari as they racked up a stellar 95-76 success. There had been little suggestion either of these clubs who had to both come through the Qualifiers, would snap the contest open.
But out of nowhere and fuelled by an eventual 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists from Noa Morro who shot 75 percent from the field, the visitors hit the gas and roared away. MVP for January Angela Mataix continued her rich vein of form with 19 points. Shaylee Gonzales had 22 points in defeat.
Leite lights it up for Villeneuve
Young guard Carla Leite underlined her potential once again with another dazzling display for Villeneuve d'Ascq as her 28-point show paced her team's eye-catching 91-72 win at Besiktas JK. Dropping 18 of her tally before the break, it put the visitors in the driving seat and they stayed there for the remainder of the contest.
With Aminata Gueye bringing the noise in the paint with a powerful double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds, it looks a long way back for Besiktas. Only Holly Winterburn with 24 points and Elif Bayram with 12 points and 12 boards found any kind of form.
Mack magic takes Girona past ASVEL
Montenegro national team forward Natasha Mack was a colossus for Spar Girona as they came out on top 77-72 in a wonderful roller-coaster game against LDLC ASVEL Feminin. Her contribution of 21 points, 13 rebounds and a spectacular 6 blocks was the pivotal contribution in an absorbing game.
Ahead by 18 points, Girona has ASVEL on the ropes, but their French opponents not only wiped out that lead with a brilliant rescue mission, but even took the lead in the later stages. But the final punch was landed by Girona who scored the last 5 points of the contest.
Teenage duo Juste Jocyte and Dominique Malonga excelled for ASVEL as they recorded 21 and 23 points, with the latter also claiming a double-double after hauling down 10 rebounds.
Sopron make it rain as they take down BLMA
It's turning into a memorable season for Sopron after they sailed past BLMA on home soil with a fabulous 81-54 victory that sees them take a major step in the direction of the Semi-Finals. The Hungarian side erupted in the second period 27-16 and were in the box-seat from that point onwards.
BLMA couldn't handle their aggressive approach, ball movement and incredible three-point shooting. They made a staggering 14 shots from downtown, with Zala Friskovec top-scoring after sinking 19 points and knocking down five of those triples. Meanwhile Stephanie Reid caught the eye with an excellent 13 points and 12 assists.
Results
Thursday, February 20 Besiktas JK 72-91 Villeneuve d'Ascq LM BDS Dinamo Sassari 75-96 BAXI Ferrol
Wednesday, February 19
Sopron Basket 81-54 BLMA Spar Girona 77-72 LDLC ASVEL Feminin
FIBA