Fenerbahce, Mersin, Praha and Schio all fly high at home to open Quarter-Finals

MUNICH (Germany) - There were celebrations in Game 1 of the Quarter-Finals for Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding, CBK Mersin Yenisehir Bld, ZVVZ USK Praha and Beretta Famila Schio who all impressed with wins.

The most compelling of the four opening games came in Italy, where Schio protected the unbeaten status of their home floor this season by coming up with a big last period to ease out Valencia Basket Club 75-63. In an absorbing match, the visitors had looked like they might be on course for victory when leading by as many as 7 points during the third quarter.

But Schio had other ideas and they turned the screw on their opponents with a superb finish. Trailing by a point at the start of the fourth, they saved their best basketball at both ends of the court until last with a vibrant 20-7 last period. Astou Ndour did the business for Schio with 21 points and 8 rebounds, while Marina Mabrey led the way in the backcourt with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.

Fenerbahce didn't necessarily have it all their own way against Sopron Basket, but produced a devastating last quarter surge against the reigning champions to ease their way to an 82-62 triumph. The visitors were very much in the contest for the first 30 minutes and then were undone as the hosts shifted up a gear at both ends of the floor.

The hosts outscored Sopron 20-4 in the fourth period and the holders had no answer as Breanna Stewart showed out with 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Fenerbahce star was supported by an excellent contribution from Emma Meesseman, who finished with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Ezi Magbegor led Sopron with 17 points in defeat. 

Meanwhile, Mersin showed their potential by sweeping aside Tango Bourges Basket with an eye-catching 84-56 victory. After an even first 10 minutes, Mersin turned up the dial on offense in the second period with 27 points and were out of sight early in the last quarter as they put their foot to the gas to outscore a disappointing Bourges side 26-10.

Some sharp three-point shooting was pivotal to the win, with Mersin dropping 11 triples and Aleksandra Crvendakic not missing from downtown en-route to 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Tiffany Hayes led the scoring with 19 points, while Elizabeth Williams did stellar defensive work with 4 steals and 3 blocks.

Praha were always in control of their clash at home to Perfumerias Avenida, eventually strolling to a 77-56 win that was built around some free-flowing offensive work in the opening half. The hosts amassed a 17-point lead by the break and by the time Avenida found some defensive presence and managed to slow the tempo, the damage had been done.

The 14 fast breaks scores for Praha and zero for Avenida told a story, while the Spanish team were unable to lock down the physical presence of Brionna Jones under the basket. The center was the standout performer with a big double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds with Valeriane Vukosavljevic excelling on the wing with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

The Quarter-Finals action continues on Game 2 when the four losing sides return home looking to level up the best-of-3 series.

FIBA