MUNICH (Germany) - There were astounding individual performances in the first leg of the FIBA Europe Cup Quarter-Finals in undoubtedly one of the most exciting rounds of action this season.
However, there were five notable showings, and as always, you can vote for your favorite below.
JDA Bourgogne Dijon exacted a measure of revenge on MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg in their first leg, looking past the two losses to their rivals to record an 88-75 victory. The job is not finished, but if Axel Julien is clicking like he was in the first-leg win, then the French side will have a serious chance of reaching the Semi-Finals. Julien went for 23 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds for an efficiency rating of 26.
It wasn't to be for Ezra Manjon-Van Ewyk and MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg, but they have the chance to overcome a 13-point deficit at home, where the German side has not lost in the FIBA Europe Cup this season. Manjon led his side with 27 points, 4 rebounds, and an assist in the first loss, scoring an efficiency rating of 23.
Two Quarter-Final ties ended all square after 40 minutes, and Casademont Zaragoza's Trae Bell-Haynes forced a draw against Cholet Basket with the final four points to make it 83-83 - leaving the second leg all to play for. The Canadian ended with 20 points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds for a rating of 24.
Arnaud Cotture shot 5-of-9 from the field for Fribourg Olympic for his double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds as well as 2 steals, as the Swiss side were involved in a highly-intense battle with PAOK mateco. The 62-62 first leg result was a fair reflection on the game itself as Cotture and his side head to Greece next Wednesday to try and finish the job.
Bilbao Basket led from start to finish as they deservedly toppled Tofas Bursa 84-72 at home, with Belgian Thijs De Ridder playing his part. De Ridder scored 14 points, pulled down 7 rebounds and got 2 takeaways in the first leg success as the focus now shifts to the second leg in Türkiye.
FIBA