MUNICH (Germany) - There was a sensational matchup between silverware frontrunners Besiktas BOA and Athinaikos Qualco on Thursday night and it was Mariella Fasoula who proved a game-winner with a stunning display for the Turkish hosts.
Elsewhere, Andjelika Mitrashinovikj and Koi Love showed out in a big way for BCF Elfic Fribourg, while BLMA also showed their potential for a deep run in the competition behind the promise of rising star Sarah Cisse.
Key Storylines
Fasoula on fire as Besiktas beat Athinaikos in stellar advert for the competition;
Andjelika Mitrashinovikj and Koi Love post monumental efforts for Fribourg;
French young gun Cisse displays her quality for BLMA as they show their teeth;
Panathinaikos pick themselves up and recover for a comeback win.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency
Mikiah Herbert-Harrigan (Elitzur Ramla) - 41
Points
Miroslava Mistinova (CS Rapid Bucuresti) - 33
Rebounds
Zuzanna Puc (SL Benfica) - 21
Assists
Matea Tadic (MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec) - 10
Steals
Lin Schwarz (Piestanske Cajky) - 8
Blocks
Multiple Players - 3
Fasoula unstoppable; Cisse gives a glimpse into the future
Mariella Fasoula was a tower of strength for Besiktas BOA as they completed a vibrant 87-84 success against the similarly ambitious Athinaikos Qualco in a brilliant game that had no fewer than 16 lead changes.
The Greek center was a menace against the Greek visitors to Istanbul and used her power in the paint to drop 29 points and make it a double-double with 12 rebounds. Meanwhile, Amy Okonkwo ensured it was a one-two punch with a super 20 points and 12 boards. Alexis Prince had an outstanding 16 points and 16 rebounds for Athinaikos.
Andjelika Mitrashinovikj and Koi Love also caught fire as the duo took BCF Elfic Fribourg to an 84-62 win at Beroe Stara Zagora. The former excelled with a superb 23 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks. Her teammate contributed a majestic 28 points, 14 boards and 5 assists.
Teenager Sarah Cisse has made a noise at youth level with France and now she is making waves in EuroCup Women. The powerhouse impressed for BLMA as they swept aside BDS Dinamo Sassari 101-72. Cisse signed off with 23 points after going 8 of 11 from the floor.
Panathinaikos found themselves trailing by double-digits at Neptuas-Amberton, but turned things around with a big third-quarter to complete an 82-69 win. Jaelyn Brown was the main architect with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, but some fine team defense was also essential.
Meanwhile, AZS UMCS Lublin showed they could be set for a title tilt after storming past UZKK Student 86-62 as Robbi Ryan impressed again with 16 points and 7 assists.
FIBA