MUNICH (Germany) - The FIBA Europe Cup Regular Season got off to a thrilling start with plenty of talking points, in a campaign that promises to be one of the most exciting ones ever.
There was overtime in Braunschweig, which featured 27 lead changes and a last-gasp game-winner. Last season's runners-up PAOK bagged themselves a home win.
On Tuesday, there was a shock in Bilbao as Peristeri BC toppled the reigning champions, while Rostock Seawolves and FC Porto bagged wins.
Key Storylines
Braunschweig beat Anwil Wloclawek in overtime classic;
Reggiana need OT to oust Dijon on the road;
Peristeri come back from 18 points down to beat champions Bilbao;
Last season's runners-up PAOK start campaign with a win.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Jacob Groves (PUMPA Basket Brno) - 35 Points: Jacob Groves (PUMPA Basket Brno) - 33 Rebounds: Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (Keravnos BC) - 16 Assists: Paul Scruggs (Energa Trefl Sopot) / Zan Sisko (KK Cibona) - 10 Steals: Rasheed Bello (Windrose Giants Antwerp) - 5 Blocks: Multiple players - 4
Braunschweig, Reggiana prevail in OT thrillers
Basketball Lowen Braunschweig eventually got the better of Anwil Wloclawek 98-97 in an overtime thriller that featured 27 lead changes.
However, the Polish side was the ones to force overtime, with a difficult three-pointer from AJ Slaughter with 1.2 seconds left. But Braunschweig didn't let their heads drop, and they had the last laugh thanks to a floater from Luka Scuka in the last second of the extra period to settle a breathtaking game. Scuka led the winners with 30 points. Isaiah Mucius had 24 for Anwil.
Pallacanestro Reggiana secured a deserved 96-88 overtime win at JDA Dijon Basket, as the Italian side held their French counterparts to just four points in the extra period.
Kwan Cheatham Jr was one rebound shy of a double-double, as he led Reggiana with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Gregor Hrovat had a game-high 25 for Dijon.
Last season's runners-up, PAOK BC, made a solid start to their FIBA Europe Cup campaign with an 85-74 victory over BC Trepca. Stephen Brown paced the Greek side with 18 points and 7 assists, as they connected on 10 triples and went 15-for-20 from the free throw line, with Trepca missing 10 foul shots on 29 attempts.
Amongst the 12 sides making their first appearance in the competition, Jacob Groves made an early statement as he starred in PUMPA Basket Brno's 84-66 triumph over BC Kutaisi 2010. Groves grabbed 33 points on 13-for-18 from the field, along with 7 rebounds and 2 steals in a scintillating display.
UCAM Murcia also recorded its first win in the FIBA Europe Cup, beating Rilski Sportist 77-63. David De Julius led a well-balanced scoring attack for Murcia with 12 points.
German newcomers RASTA got an impressive 91-72 road win against fellow debutants CS Valcea 1924 on the road, with Joschka Ferner the high man with 18 points, going an impressive 6-for-8 from three-point land.
On Thursday, BC Kalev/Cramo got a solid 93-85 road win over the Absheron Lions and KK Cibona breezed past BC Bashkimi 93-79.
Bilbao rocked by Peristeri; Rostock, Porto get home wins
Peristeri BC sent early shockwaves through Europe as they fought back from an 18-point deficit to beat the defending FIBA Europe Cup champions Surne Bilbao Basket 84-81 on the road.
Ty Nichols was the hero down the stretch with two big buckets, winning the game with 11 seconds left. He had 21 points and 7 rebounds, with Alvaro Cardenas Torre leading the way with 22. Darrun Hilliard paced Bilbao with 17 points on a night to forget for the holders.
Wes Washpun sank a pair of free throws with 0.8 seconds left to help FC Porto beat Windrose Giants Antwerp 79-78.
Javian Davis led the winners with 20 points and 9 rebounds, as Porto led 37-26 and seemed to be cruising, having led for the majority of the game, before a 32-20 third quarter handed the visitors the lead, but the hosts fought back for a hard-fought win with Washpun the hero.
Vincent Kesteloot had 20 points and 6 boards for Antwerp.
Rostock Seawolves made a strong start and maintained their high intensity throughout, defeating Tartu Ulikool Maks & Moorits 100-82 in their home opener. The hosts led 28-19 after the first quarter and never took their foot off the accelerator, with their lead peaking at 20 points late on.
TJ Crockett led the victors with 19 points on 80 percent shooting, cancelling out Karl Lips' game-high 25 for Tartu.
FIBA