HERZLIYA (FIBA Europe Cup) - Marcus Gilbert put together a terrific first-half display to lead FC Porto to a dramatic 68-65 victory against Bnei Rav-Bariach Herzliya in the first leg of the FIBA Europe Cup Qualification Round 2 tie on the road in Israel.

The 24-year-old swingman scored 19 points in the first two quarters alone en route to a 24-point and 7-rebound performance, which allowed the Portuguese side to escape with a narrow win.

"Today we played very hard," said Gilbert after the game. "I am happy for my teammates. We played well on defense and that is one of the major keys to winning a basketball game. As long as we keep that up, we will be fine. We have to do the same in the next game."

William Hanley collected 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, while Sasa Borovnjak chipped in with 13 points, 6 boards and 3 steals. Meanwhile, Taurean Green and Jeff Adrien were the top scorers for Bnei Rav-Bariach Herzliya with 14 points apiece, with the latter also adding 8 rebounds in a losing effort.

"It's still not over. I hope we learn from our mistakes and we play better in the second leg," the head coach of the Israeli side, Michael Gorke remained optimistic in spite of heading to Portugal with a three-point deficit for the return fixture next week.

Elsewhere, Proximus Spirou and Belfius Mons-Hainaut made sure it was a good evening for Belgian basketball, both using strong fourth quarters to set themselves up with sizable cushions in their wins over Pardubice and Beroe, respectively.

Spirou will return to Charleroi with a 17-point edge after registering a 92-75 triumph against Pardubice after outscoring the home side 34-17 in the final period, as Scott Thomas filled up the boxscore with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.

Meanwhile, Mons-Hainaut followed a similar pattern and won the last frame against Beroe 24-12 for an 88-69 victory, which should ensure a relatively bump-free ride to Stara Zagora for the second leg.

Tre Demps finished the contest with a game-high 22 points, Christopher Jones had 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, while Michele Di Dunno scored a team-high 20 for the visitors from Bulgaria.

FIBA