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2 Maalik Wayns (BC Enisey) (Photo: Ivan Petuhov)
02/11/2016
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FIBA Europe Cup: Wednesday round-up

MUNICH (FIBA Europe Cup) - BC Enisey and Tsmoki-Minsk stayed perfect in FIBA Europe Cup action this season but both needed dramatic one-point victories to do it on a thrilling night on Wednesday.

Enisey needed overtime to see off Sigal Prishtina 102-101 in Group H, while a Justin Gray three-pointer with four seconds left lifted Minsk to a 71-70 road win over Apoel Nicosia in Group J

Winless Sigal Prishtina stunned Enisey with their first quarter performance as they powered their way into 22-9 lead and led 32-20 when Bojan Trajkovski sank a three-pointer with 1:22 to go in the period.

It was not until the third quarter that Enisey got back on level terms, setting up a tense battle which sent the game to overtime when Tony Taylor hit two free throws with eight seconds left.

Enisey stormed in front in the extra period as Taylor's three-pointer made it 95-87, but the visitors battled back and Enisey needed Frank Elegar's two-point shot eight seconds from time to win it.

"This competition means a lot for the club and the fans, so we always try to win every game," said Enisey coach Oleg Okulov. "Sigal were very good today, but our hard work and never-give-up attitude gave us the win.

"Congratulations to my boys and thanks to our amazing fans who dragged us over the line today.

The result leaves Enisey in complete control of the group, but Sigal Prishtina are cut adrift at 0-3.

"After such a crazy game, I can only feel sorry for the guys who gave everything on the court but came back with a loss," said recently-appointed coach Jeronimo Sarin.

"It's my second week at the club and I can see that they are listening to me and doing what I want so I expect better results in the coming games."

 

In Larnaca, Apoel and Minsk fought out a tense encounter in which neither team led by more than six.

Nemanja Milosevic gave Minsk a 68-66 lead with 38 seconds to go, only for Theron Bussey to hit back with a three-pointer five seconds later.

After Dru Joyce missed a three for Minsk, Robert Brown went to the line for Apoel but could only split his free-throws to leave the door open, 70-68, with 21 seconds left.

Gray needed no second invitation as he sank a three with four seconds left, and Minsk's victory was assured when Akeem Wright missed at the other end before time ran out.

"First of all, I want to congratulate my players for the win," said Minsk coach Igor Griszczuk. "We managed to escape in the last second with the three-point shot!

"Congratulations to Apoel for the great performance."

His opposite number Dimitrois Koustenis added: "It was one of those games that could have gone either way. Congratulations to Tsmoki Minsk and to my players for their performance."


 

WEDNESDAY'S FULL RESULTS

Group A
Alba Fehervar 111-91 Elan Chalon
Brussels Basketball 74-79 SL Benfica 

Group B
Limburg United 95-98 BCM Gravelines

Group C
Telekom Baskets 77-75 Belfius Mons-Hainaut

Group D
Sopron 75-72 FC Porto

Group F
Lukoil Academic 90-75 Prievidza
Bnei Herzliya 90-85 Steaua CSM

Group G
Gaziantep 74-56 KB Peja
U-BT Cluj Napoca 65-63 Petrolina AEK

Group H
BC Enisey 102-101 Sigal Prishtina
Demir Insaat 92-70 Rilski Sportist 

Group I
Prienu-Birstono 104-61 TLU-Kalev

FIBA