MUNICH (Germany) - Two teams managed to overcome first-leg deficits, with Anorthosis Famagusta's heroic 16-point comeback the highlight, as the Regular Season line-up is complete.
The seven winners in the Qualifiers were joined by the three lucky losers of Absheron Lions, BC Prievidza and BC Bashkimi to round out the field.
Anorthosis Famagusta 77-60 Absheron Lions
Anorthosis won 150-149 on aggregate
Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta completed a phenomenal 16-point comeback to edge Azerbaijani side Absheron Lions 77-60 on the night and 150-149 overall.
Aubrey McAlpine hit what turned out to be the game-winning shot with 1:46 to play, but the Lions certainly had their chance to claw the tie back in their favor; however, the execution was sadly lacking. The visitors had one last chance, but Jalen Shaw fluffed his lines with two ticks left.
Nigel Hawkins led Anorthosis Famagusta with 23 points as they return to the FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season. James Frazier and Arinze Chidom both led the Lions with 12 points, who will head to the Regular Season as one of the three lucky losers.
Anwil Wloclawek 93-71 BC Bashkimi
Anwil won 168-151 on aggregate
Former FIBA Europe Cup champions Anwil Wloclawek overturned a five-point first-leg deficit to overcome a stubborn BC Bashkimi side, who, despite falling to a loss, can hold their heads up high as they will also be in the Regular Season along with the Polish side.
Despite taking a 38-27 lead with six minutes to play in the second, the Polish side could not brush their Kosovan visitors away in what was a competitive tie overall. Bashkimi even held the advantage on aggregate on two occasions in the latter stages of the third.
With the game tied up on aggregate heading into the fourth, the hosts found their groove and pulled clear to score a spot in the Regular Season. Michal Michalak had 18 points and 5 boards to lead Anwil Wloclawek. De'Quon Lake led Bashkimi with 15.
BC Prievidza 101-94 KK Cibona
Cibona won 185-184 on aggregate
Despite losing 101-94 in a nail-biter that needed overtime to BC Prievidza, KK Cibona overcame the Slovakian side 185-184 over two legs.
Trailing by as many as 21 points on the night and 87-70 with three minutes in regulation to play, Cibona rescued themselves with a 9-0 run, capped off by free throws from Markus Loncar with 22 seconds left in the fourth to force overtime.
From there, the visitors kept their nerve to stay in touch with the hosts close enough to maintain their lead from the first leg and see out the game. Joe Toussaint led Prievidza with 21 points and 7 assists on the night, and despite defeat, they are one of the three lucky losers so they will be in the Regular Season.
Zan Sisko was one assist shy of a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 9 dimes for Cibona.
Transcom Parnu 69-81 PUMPA Basket Brno
Basket Brno won 164-144 on aggregate
PUMPA Basket Brno are Regular Season-bound after beating Estonian side Transcom Parnu 81-69, completing a two-legged success.
Despite the second leg being closely contested in the first half, Parnu were unable to test their Czech opponents on aggregate, with the hosts' most significant lead being just four points. Brno remained focused and eventually raced away on the night, and overall.
Even though he struggled from the floor, Anthony Williams still managed 26 points to lead Brno, as his 35 percent shooting night was helped by going a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line. Gregor Ilves had 21 for Parnu.
BC Balkan 79-86 RASTA
RASTA won 165-142 on aggregate
The German side RASTA edged their Bulgarian counterparts, BC Balkan, 86-79 in the second leg, but were able to advance to the Regular Season on aggregate with relative ease.
Taking a comfortable 79-63 lead into the tie, RASTA were caught off guard by a determined BC Balkan side, who took an early 15-8 lead. But once the visitors hit their stride and took the lead with 5:01 to go in the second, they were always in control.
Tommy Kuhse led RASTA with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals, cancelling out Jack Pagenkopf's admirable 22-point, 9-rebound and 6-assist effort for Balkan.
Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen 82-82 KK Bosna BH Telecom
Bosna won 164-139 on aggregate
KK Bosna have booked their ticket to the Regular season with a comfortable 164-139 aggregate win over Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen.
Chase Audige led KK Bosna with 17 points, with Nick Stampley going for 34 for the hosts in the 82-82 second leg draw.
BC Dnipro 64-95 CSM Corona Brasov
Corona Brasov won 178-133 on aggregate
CSM Corona Brasov breezed into the Regular Season after beating BC Dnipro 95-64 in the second leg on Saturday, completing a comfortable 178-133 victory on aggregate.
Isiah Osborne led the winners with 21 points, going 4-for-5 from three-point land. Chrunn Williamson had 16 for Dnipro.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Nick Stampley (Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen) - 39 Points: Nick Stampley (Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen) - 34 Rebounds: Kuany Atem Kuany (Anorthosis Famagusta) - 15 Assists: Zan Sisko (KK Cibona) - 9 Steals: Multiple players - 4 Blocks: Kuany Atem Kuany (Anorthosis Famagusta) / Adam Kejval (PUMPA Basket Brno) - 3
FIBA