EUROCUP – Repesa smiling again after Benetton defeat Alba Berlin

TREVISO (Eurocup) - Benetton Treviso and Aris Thessaloniki hit back from weekend defeats and won on the opening night of the Eurocup Last 16.

There were also victories for UNICS Kazan, BG Gottingen, Asefa Estudiantes, Pepsi Caserta and Cajasol Sevilla.

A banged-up Benetton went into their first Group L game on the back of a 90-67 home humiliation in the Lega A to Pepsi Caserta.

With coach Jasmin Repesa's criticism ringing in their ears, Benetton grinded out a 75-71 triumph over Alba Berlin on Tuesday night at the Palaverde.

Switzerland international Greg Brunner and Devin Smith each scored 15 points to lead a balanced Treviso attack.

"I give congratulations to my players that played despite injures," said Repesa, the former national team coach of Croatia.

"(Hrvoje) Peric, Smith and (Massimo) Bulleri were not well. (Donatas) Motiejunas also had a problem on the left hand.

"And I want to emphasize that (Brian) Skinner, our new player tonight, had only one training session with us."

Skinner had eight points and seven rebounds in 16 minutes.

"For all these reasons I'm happy," Repesa said.

"Especially for the victory against one of the best teams in the Eurocup.

"We won with the right character.

"Unfortunately in the Italian League, we are not going well."

Benetton are 13th in the 16-team Lega A with a 6-9 record, though their position can change dramatically in a short space of time because sixth-place Angelico Biella are 7-8.

Alba, who reached the EuroCup Last Four in 2010, got 18 points from Derrick Allen.

Aris slumped to a surprise Group J defeat to Ikaros in Greece but they brushed aside Ukrainians Budivelnik in the fourth quarter and won 85-69.

Sharon Drucker's side only led 59-53 heading into the last frame but outscored the visitors 26-16.

Bobby Brown poured in 23 points for Aris.

Also in Group J, Gottingen, last season's EuroChallenge winners, won 75-71 over Le Mans after getting 27 points from Mike Scott.

France international Antoine Diot scored 18 points for Le Mans.

In Group I, Ricky Minard's 16 points led a balanced UNICS Kazan attack as the Russian outfit edged Gran Canaria, 67-64.

In Group K, Asefa Estudiantes followed up their weekend win at Power Electronics Valencia with an 87-80 home triumph over CEZ Nymburk.

Great Britain international Dan Clark had another solid game for Estu with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Pepsi Caserta also thrashed Galatasaray Crown Cafe, 81-76, with Ebi Ere and Jumaine Jones scoring 19 and 18 points, respectively.

The other Group L clash saw Cajasol Sevilla taste victory.

Taking on Panellinios, a side that reached the Last Four in the EuroCup in 2010, the Spanish outfit prevailed 87-82 with Louis Bullock's 23 points spearheading the Sevilla attack.

Like Estu, Cajasol Sevilla missed out on the Copa del Rey by not having a top-eight standing in the middle of the ACB season.

FIBA