MUNICH (Germany) - Casademont Zaragoza joined Beretta Famila Schio in making it a week to remember by booking their place for the Play-Ins with a vital Thursday night success against at Umana Reyer Venezia. Earlier in the week, Schio grabbed their Play-Ins ticket after picking up a pivotal and eye-catching 82-71 Group E road win at Zabiny Brno. Elsewhere, there was also another victory for defending champions Fenerbahce who extended their unbeaten run by beating ZVVZ USK Praha. However the Czech club had their Play-Ins place confirmed with Zaragoza's win in Italy 24 hours later.
Meanwhile Tango Bourges Basket came out on top in a pivotal French derby clash against Basket Landes.
Key Storylines
- Zaragoza beat Reyer to wrap up a Play-Ins spot, with the victory ensuring Praha make it too; - Schio cruise past Brno and into the Play-Ins after another Juhasz double-double; - Iliana Rupert posts a spectacular season-best display for Mersin who stay unbeaten; - Wednesday night wins for Fenerbahce and Bourges.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Iliana Rupert (CIMSA CBK Mersin) - 39 Points: Iliana Rupert (CIMSA CBK Mersin) - 34 Rebounds: Dorka Juhasz (Beretta Famila Schio) - 13 Assists: Marine Fauthoux (CIMSA CBK Mersin) - 8 Steals: Julie Allemand (Fenerbahce Oper) - 5 Blocks: Jasmine Keys (Beretta Famila Schio), Myriam Djekoundade (Basket Landes) - 3
Zaragoza land in the Play-Ins after locking down Reyer
Zaragoza came out on top and took their ticket for the Play-Ins by beating Reyer 44-39 on the road in a defensively dominated encounter.
With both sides struggling to gain any kind of offensive rhythm, Zaragoza made their move either side of the third and fourth quarter break to see out a hugely important Group F win-double against their rivals.
Rupert erupts; wins for Fenerbahce and Bourges
Iliana Rupert dropped 34 points and racked up a performance efficiency valuation of 39 in an outstanding effort and her best of the season as CIMSA CBK Mersin stayed unbeaten by sweeping aside Perfumerias Avenida 79-62.
That made it a perfect 10-0 for the Turkish powerhouse, although the victory was soured by a worrying injury to leading power forward Natasha Howard who took a blow to her shoulder and had to leave the game early.
Fenerbahce Opet continued their perfect campaign with another victory as they shut out ZVVZ USK Praha 63-54 on the road. The home side had posed some early problems and raced into a double-digit advantage.
However, Fenerbahce gradually shifted up through the defensive gears and locked down their opponents to take victory. Emma Meesseman starred with 19 points and 9 boards for the winning side.
Tango Bourges Basket are now 6-4 in Group E after beating the now 5-5 Basket Landes. The fans at Le Prado enjoyed a 75-61 win as they followed last weekend's French League success with a similarly dominant show. Tima Pouye impressed with 17 points, while Kariata Diaby served up a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Schio make it three wins in four
There's some momentum building behind Beretta Famila Schio after they made it three wins in four outing by sealing an impressive 82-71 success at Zabiny Brno. It was thanks mainly to some excellent transition and Hungarian center Dorka Juhasz.
She provided the foundation for victory and continued her good form by amassing 15 points and 13 rebounds, while teammate Janelle Salaun and Kitija Laksa fired 17 and 16 points respectively.
Results
Thursday, January 16 Umana Reyer Venezia 39-44 Casademont Zaragoza
Wednesday, January 15 CIMSA CBK Mersin 79-62 Perfumerias Avenida ZVVZ USK Praha 54-63 Fenerbahce Opet Tango Bourges Basket 75-61 Basket Landes
Tuesday, January 14 Zabiny Brno 71-82 Beretta Famila Schio
FIBA