MUNICH (Germany) - Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring came out on top in an epic overtime clash with Basket Landes on Thursday night in Istanbul to get onto the front foot in their Semi-Final Play-Ins series.
There were also plenty of talking points and drama 24 hours earlier as Casademont Zaragoza and Beretta Famila Schio clinched precious victories in the first of their Quarter-Final Play-In matchups, while Fenerbahce Opet coasted to an eye-catching success in the Semi-Final Play-Ins.
Key Storylines
Galatasaray frontcourt trio get it done after Istanbul giants blow 19-point lead;
Zaragoza now one home win away from the Final Six as trademark team effort keeps dreams alive;
Schio prevail in nail-biting conclusion to inflict heartbreak on rivals;
Kayla McBride hits 2,000 point landmark as Fenerbahce show why they're favorites;
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Emma Meesseman (Fenerbahce Opet), Dorka Juhasz (Galatasaray Cagdas Fakotoring) - 25 Points: Multiple Players - 21 Rebounds: Murjanatu Musa (Basket Landes), Awak Kuier (Galatasaray Cagdas Fakotoring) - 11 Assists: Julie Allemand (Fenerbahce Opet) - 11 Steals: Gabby Williams (Fenerbahce Opet) - 4 Blocks: Elizabeth Williams (Galatasaray Cagdas Fakotoring) - 3
Galatasaray breathe sigh of relief after Landes fightback
The size and strength of Dorka Juhasz, Awak Kuier and Elizabeth Williams proved a difference-maker at both ends of the court as Galatasaray took an 81-72 triumph against Landes. Leading by 19 points and coasting, the Turkish side allowed the visitors back into the game as Marie Pardon hit a stunning buzzer-beater to force overtime.
However, Elizabeth Williams was superb in the extra period, turning up the noise at both ends of the floor and finishing with 12 points, 10 boards and 3 blocks to take Galatasaray over the line.
That also came after Dorka Juhasz had excelled during regulation with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while fellow 'Twin Tower' Awak Kuier came off the floor with 16 points and 11 boards to her name. Murjanatu Musa and Leila Lacan starred as usual for Landes - the former registering 21 points and 11 boards, with Lacan adding 21 points and 9 rebounds.
Zaragoza and Schio get onto front foot; Fenerbahce live up to the hype
Zaragoza have put themselves in a great position to make it to Final Six after they collected a vibrant 82-71 success at Praha. Backed by impressive travelling support, the Spanish club founded their triumph on a rapid opening and their trademark hard-nosed defense.
Opening up 24-17 in the first quarter and getting onto the front foot, they never looked back and held their nerve to take a fabulous road win. Merritt Hempe top scored with 14 points, while Veronika Vorackova impressed with 7 assists and 3 steals against her former club. Maite Cazorla led Praha in defeat with 13 points.
Schio celebrated a memorable 68-66 win at arch rivals Reyer as they came back from 12 points down to squeeze out victory. Ramping up their defense in the last quarter, they restricted the hosts to single digits, while it was also another game their perimeter shooting proved to be a difference-maker.
They dropped 9 triples from just 18 attempts, including three each from Kitija Laksa and Maria Conde who eventually shared 26 points. Jessica Shepard had a team-high 16 points as well as 7 rebounds, with Joyner Holmes adding 14 points, 7 boards and 5 assists for the losing side.
Fenerbahce hit the gas in the second half of their Semi-Finals Play-In clash with Girona and that was the foundation for a powerful 87-69 home court victory. They turned up the heat at both ends of the floor after the break and the visitors struggled to keep pace as the Turkish giants arguably put one foot in the next phase.
Emma Meesseman was in the mood and tough to slow down, with the Belgian outstanding and finishing with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Her compatriot Julie Allemand also excelled by passing the rock a superb 11 times, while it was a night to remember for Kayla McBride who joined the 2,000 points club in the competition.
Results
Wednesday, February 18
Fenerbahce Opet 87-69 Spar Girona ZVVZ USK Praha 71-82 Casademont Zaragoza Umana Reyer Venezia 66-68 Beretta Famila Schio Wednesday, February 19 Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring 81-72 Basket Landes
FIBA