MUNICH (Germany) - The EuroCup Women Round of 16 witnessed a number of eye-catching first leg road wins for some of the clubs who are being touted as potential winners of this year's competiton.
Athinaikos Qualco came alive down the game stretch to see off Sopron Basket and get a 9-point advantage for next week, while CIMSA CBK Mersin coasted past Kibirkstis-TOKS to show their teeth. There was also a huge home win for Perfumerias Avenida in the all-Spanish clash against BAXI Ferrol.
On Wednesday night, there was a majestic display from Sedona Prince behind Panathinaikos beating MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec, while a last second intervention from Nausia Woolfolk handed Olympiacos a thrilling one-point win at Movistar Estudiantes.
Key Storylines
Tadic at the double to put Athinaikos on the front foot against Sopron;
Smalls and Geiselsoder get Mersin in a great spot against Kibirkstis;
Avenida looking like title contenders after blasting past Spanish derby rivals Ferrol;
Prince posts a monster performance efficiency valuation of 41 to keep Panathinaikos rolling;
Olympiacos benefit from buzzer-beater in epic show with Estudaines which sets up exciting second leg;
Tahane lights it up for the holders with a big show in Spain.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Sedona Prince (Panathinaikos A.C) - 41 Points: Feyonda Fitzgerald (Panathinaikos A.C) - 27 Rebounds: Sedona Prince (Panathinaikos A.C) - 18 Assists: Feyonda Fitzgerald (Panathinaikos A.C), Klaudia Papp (Sopron Basket) - 7 Steals: Emmanuelle Tahane (Villeneuve d'Ascq) - 5 Blocks: Sedona Prince (Panathinaikos A.C) - 4
Athinaikos, Mersin and Avenida flex their muscles
Athinaikos completed an 81-72 victory against Sopron after a strong finish put them in a good place heading into the second leg. The Greek side will be wary after Sopron's comeback heroics in the Play-Off Round 1, but will feel they have enough to progress, especially if Ana Tadic can repeat her double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Mersin also showed their title credentials with a similarly powerful finish that took them to a powerful 87-67 triumph at Kibirkstis-TOKS. Kennedy Burke and Luisa Geiselsoder both shone brightly with the former adding 13 points, 14 boards and 4 assists, while the latter poured in 26 points.
Avenida made light work of dismantling the hopes of last year's first-time finalists Ferrol with a one-sided 86-58 victory. It was founded on great teamwork and impressive defense. Andrea Vilaro ipitomized the hard-nosed edge of the home side with plenty of haed work, as well as 9 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.
Elsewhere on Thursday night, Castors Braine went down 77-67 at home to LOTTO AZS UMCS Lublin but will be relieved they at least kept their hopes alive with a late rally. They had trailed by as many as 23 points. Quay Miller added 11 points and 13 boards, while the victorious Lublin were led by 21 points and 10 rebounds from Robbi Ryan.
Finally, BLMA got the road win they craved at Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen as young French ace Nell Angloma underlined her potential once again with a sparkling 27 points in an 80-66 success.
Greek duo and reigning champions rack up precious road wins
A stellar show from Sedona Prince, a superb cameo from Feyonda Fitzgerald and a spectacular last period proved to be the foundation for Panathinaikos A.C. taking a commanding 76-49 success at MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec. A blistering 22-4 finish to the contest has left the Greek side in a great position ahead of next week's home game.
But it was a monumental 22 points and 18 boards from the unstoppable Prince, along with 4 blocks that proved to be the difference-maker in the contest. As was the contribution from her teammate Fitzgerald, who came up with 27 points, 7 assists, 6 boards and 4 steals.
Nausia Woolfolk was the hero once more for Olympiacos as her game-winner at the buzzer handed them a slender 86-85 victory against Estudiantes.
Her late three-pointer proved to be the decisive shot and she top-scored for the visitors with 21 points.
Despite the defeat, Estudiantes will be confident of still progressing and especially if German rising star Frieda Buhner continues her great start to the calendar year having harvested 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Villeneuve d'Ascq LM had too much in their locker for Lointek Gernika Bizkaia as they collected a convincing 85-62 win. Emmanuelle Tahane was immense for the current champions and finished the contest with 14 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals.
Results
Wednesday, January 14
MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec 49-76 Panathinaikos A.C Movistar Estudiantes 85-86 Olympaicos S.F.P Lointek Gernika Bizkaia 62-85 Villeneuve d'Ascq LM
Thursday, January 15
Athinaikos Qualco 81-72 Sopron Basket Kibirkstis-TOKS 67-87 CIMSA CBK Mersin Castors Braine 67-77 LOTTO AZS UMCS Lublin Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen 66-80 BLMA Perfumerias Avenida 86-58 BAXI Ferrol
FIBA