26 September, 2016
30 April, 2017
2 Stephen Dennis (Bnei Herzliya) (photo: Oded Karni)
09/11/2016
Review
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FIBA Europe Cup - Wednesday round-up

MUNICH (FIBA Europe Cup) - Bnei Herzliya hung on down the stretch for an 84-79 win that ended Lukoil Academic’s unbeaten start in Group F and put them on top after four games.

The hosts led by double digits when three free-throws from Taurean Green made it 79-69 with 3:09 remaining. 

But getting to the top of the group was not going to be straightforward and Lukoil came back at them.

Free throws from Sasa Zagorac and Danny Gibson cut the deficit to 79-75 with 1:55 left, and a two-pointer from Zagorac with 48 ticks left cut the deficit to 80-77.

Green padded the Herzliya lead but there was still cause for concern at the end when Gibson made it 82-79 from the free throw line with 22 seconds left - only for Halil Kanacevic to seal it at the death. 

"It's a very big win for us," said Herzliya coach Mickey Gorka. "We are facing one more away game, and one win will take us to the next stage."

Shooting guard Danny Rubin added: "It was a great win, we protected our home court and executed our game plan on both ends of the court. Now on to the next one."

Lukoil are level with Herzliya at 3-1, with everything still to play for in the group.

"We are sorry we lost this game," said coach Toni Dechev. "We tried to control the game, but at some key moments we couldn’t pressure them well and beat them."

BCM Gravelines needed another narrow escape to stay unbeaten in Group B as they moved to 4-0 with a 71-67 victory over Donar Groningen, all but confirming their spot in the next round.

After barely escaping Limburg United 98-95 on the road last time out, they went to the wire once again as the two teams went into the final minute tied at 65-65. 

Justin Cobbs' free-throws edged BCM ahead with 26 seconds left and Kyle Gibson went to the line to make it 69-65 with 11 ticks left. 

Sean Cunningham hit two free throws to cut the deficit but with only five seconds left, Groningen were forced to foul and Cobbs cleaned up from the line to ensure the win as he finished the night with 27 points. 

"It was a good performance in a hard game," said BCM coach Christian Monschau. "We had a lot of turnovers so it was difficult to advance in the game. Collectively we've seen a rise from Groningen and I think this team will win the Dutch championship." 

"We played hard and though we had some problems making shots we made it a defensive game," said Groningen coach Erik Leonard. "I'm very proud of my team because it was a good effort. We knew Gravelines was a good team, probably the best one in the competition, but now it's between us and Kormend."

Full Results 

Group A
Alba Fehervar 90-71 SL Benfica 

Group B
BCM Gravelines 71-67 Donar Groningen 

Group D
Nanterre 92 106-75 Sopron 

Group E 
Redwell-Gunners 79-76 Tartu

Group F
Steaua CSM 82-71 Prievidza
Bnei Herzliya 84-79 Lukoil Academic 

Group G
Gaziantep 80-72 Petrolina AEK
KB Peja 76-99 U-BT Cluj Napoca 

Group H
BC Enisey 104-84 Rilski Sportist
Sigal Prishtina 71-81 Demir Insaat

Group J
BC Siauliai 77-90 Tsmoki-Minsk
APOEL Nicosia 99-90 BK Pardubice

FIBA