Johannes, Williams return to help ASVEL win thriller; landmark triple-double for Meesseman

MUNICH (Germany) - The sixth week of action threw up plenty of talking points including the first game of the season for Marine Johannes and Gabby Williams sparking an overdue win for LDLC ASVEL Feminin.

There was also the first ever triple-double in the competition for Emma Meesseman, an eye-catching 20-point comeback win for Casademont Zaragoza and DVTK HUN-Therm doing it again to extend their unbeaten streak.

LDLC ASVEL Feminin get off the mark as Gabby and Marine return

It was a real roller-coaster for LDLC ASVEL Feminin fans as they welcomed back their marquee stars Marine Johannes and Gabby Williams to the court for the first time this season. But they were left to sweat in a nail-biting 73-72 home win against Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin

The hosts allowed a 17-point advantage to evaporate and at one stage were down by double digits themselves before getting it done at the death with a basket from new signing Stefanie Dolson. It was welcome relief for ASVEL who had lost their opening five games, with Williams offering up a typically classy 15 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. Elin Gustavsson was unfortunate to be on the losing team with 24 points and 9 boards.

Meesseman claims first EuroLeague Women triple-double 

There was a momentous night in Istanbul for Emma Meesseman as she posted her maiden triple-double as Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding raced past ACS Sepsi-SIC 110-63. The Belgian ace was unstoppable as the Turkish side extended their unbeaten streak to six games off the back of her 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

There were also brilliant displays from Kayla McBride and Nikolina Milic who shared 48 points, with the latter going 11-of-12 from the field, while Sevgi Uzun dished out 11 assists as Fenerbahce dominated. 

Casademont Zaragoza are the comeback queens

Rookies Casademont Zaragoza continue to turn heads and this time not only with another victory, but with their resilience and hear too. Without one of their stars in Helena Oma and down by 20 points, a first home loss looked inevitable. However they stormed back to eventually overcome Beretta Famila Schio 56-51.

Some incredible defensive work paved the way for the victory which improves the Spanish first-timers to 4-2. Some nice work that harvested 13 points and 5 rebounds for Christelle Diallo stood out, with Arella Guirantes sinking a game-high 18 points in defeat.

Super six in a row for DVTK HUN-Therm

Fenerbahce isn't the only club yet to lose this season. Hungarian underdogs DVTK HUN-Therm also continued their incredible winning streak with a sixth victory after they outperformed Valencia Basket 67-56.

It was founded on their trademark defense, with Monika Grigalauskyte and Ana Tadic both smart in the paint and adding 15 and 12 points respectively on a combined 67 percent shooting. Meanwhile Valencia drop to a disappointing 3-3, having missed absent star center Raquel Carrera.

Highs

Efficiency: 36 – Emma Meesseman (Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding)
Points: 24 – Kayla McBride (Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding), Nikolina Milic (Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding)
Rebounds: 12 – Kaila Charles (DVTK HUN-Therm)
Assists: 11 – Sevgi Uzun (Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding)
Steals: 5 – Gabby Williams (LDLC ASVEL Feminin)
Blocks: 3 – Marie Guelich (Valencia Basket Club)

Wednesday, November 22

Group A
Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding 110-63 ACS Sepsi-SIC
DVTK HUN-Therm 67-56 Valencia Basket Club 
LDLC ASVEL Feminin 73-72 Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin 
Casademont Zaragoza 56-51 Beretta Famila Schio

Group B
Cukurova Basketbol Mersin 75-63 Serco UNI Gyor
Perfumerias Avenida 75-66 KGHM BC Polkowice 
Villeneuve d'Ascq LM 74-61 Basket Landes
Virtus Segafredo Bologna 69-90 ZVVZ USK Praha

FIBA