Banvit storm back from early deficit, hold on to beat Estu

BANDIRMA (Basketball Champions League) - Banvit overcame a sluggish start and also a red-hot Sylven Landesberg to get back in the win column in the Basketball Champions League on Tuesday night.

Coming off a surprise 49-48 defeat at Rosa Radom in Poland last week, Sasa Filipovski's team trailed by 14 points in the opening quarter against Estu but stormed back in the second frame to lead at half-time and ended up prevailing, 82-80.

Andy Rautins, in his fourth Basketball Champions League outing for Banvit since joining after the start of the season, provided much needed scoring from the perimeter. He was 6 of 11 from behind the arc and finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

Down 27-14 after the first quarter with Landesberg having poured in 14 points for the visitors, Banvit reeled of the first 17 points in the second.

Rautins' deep 3-ball gave the hosts a 30-27 lead and another made it 36-30.

Estudiantes went back in front 50-48 after one of Landesberg's 6 3-pointers early in the second half. He finished with a game-high 31 points.

A shot from the arc by Angelo Caloiaro put Banvit ahead with 5:49 to go in third and they led the rest of the way.

The hosts did not put Estu away, but made enough plays down the stretch to record their fourth win on the Basketball Champions League campaign. Estu lost for the third time in six Regular Season games.

Adonis Thomas had 17 points and 8 rebounds for Banvit and captain Gasper Vidmar weighed in with 15 points and 8 boards.