FIBA Basketball

    Galatasaray get tied up by Sosnowiec; Bourges, Reyer too hot to handle

    MUNICH (Germany) - A number of clubs put one foot firmly in the direction of the Round of 16 after racking up convincing wins in their respective first leg Play-Off Round 1 games.

    MUNICH (Germany) - The first leg games of the Play-Off Round 1 are in the books and they included a special matchup on Thursday night between Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring and MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec.

    They produced one of the games of the season, while a number of clubs thrust themselves towards the next phase by taking commanding victories. 

    Key Storylines

    - Galatasaray end up with a rare draw against MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec.

    - Brilliant Bourges power their way to a huge win.

    -  Pulvere shows out as Riga take a huge win at Olympiacos;

    -  Girona and Melikgazi Kayseri soar towards next stage.


    Thursday, December 14
    Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring played out a spectacular 90-90 draw at MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec, with both teams benefiting from some exceptional individual performances.


    Julie Vanloo handed out a season-high 14 assists in the competition this season, while her rival Jessica January dished up 12 for Sosnowiec to go with 19 points and 8 boards. Meanwhile Nalyssa Smith showed out with a massive 31 points and 12 points for Galatasaray. 

    Tango Bourges Basket showed their title credentials yet again with a stunning 108-51 success against Antalya BSB Toroslar BC. There was just one point between the sides after the opening quarter, but Bourges opened up the offensive taps and posted a devastating 33-7 second period.


    In a great team effort, Alix Duchet top scored with 20 points, while Kayla Alexander landed a double-double of 14 points and 11 boards.

    Meanwhile, Umana Reyer Venice also went to some serious work in racking up an 83-63 triumph at BCF Elfic Fribourg. As usual, it was Jessica Shepard who stood out with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the Italians.

    Wednesday, December 13
    TTT Riga were one of several clubs to put in strong first leg performances as they racked up a superb 72-53 road win at Olympiacos SFP. It was Ieva Pulvere who did the damage as the veteran guard showed her class in dropping an all-action 23 points, 6 rebounds, 6 steals and 4 assists.

    There was home court joy for Melikgazi Kayseri as they stunned previously unbeaten Movistar Estudiantes by producing a crushing 81-55 triumph, built around a colossal show from Gintare Petronyte, The Lithuanian produced a spectacular double-double of 17 points and 20 boards, while Joyner Holmes also shone with a superb 24 points and 11 rebounds.

    Spar Girona are also celebrating a victory on their travels after they took down TARR KSC Szekszard on Hungarian soil 89-77. They benefited from a sparkling 28-13 third quarter which swing the contest in their direction - as well as 25 points from Morgan Bertsch and 21 from the experienced Sandra Ygueravide.

    Another Spanish side Cadi La Seu reveled in beating Castors Braine 84-62 as Sierra Campisano went to work by netting a game-high 27 points.


    Elsewhere. the city of Brno celebrated as Zabiny Brno won 73-63 in an eye-catching success against Besiktas, with Elissa Cunane impressing after amassing 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. KP TANY Brno also beat Lattes-Montpellier 71-63, helped by 14 points from Karolina Sotolova.

    There was also a rare drawn game as French duo Flammes Carolo Basket and Roche Vendee BC were left tied 71-71 after their first meeting with a late three from Kadiatou Sissoko saving the hosts from defeat.

    Highs

    Efficiency: 37 - Nalyssa Smith (Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring)
    Points: 31 – Nalyssa Smith (Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring)
    Rebounds: 20 – Gintare Petronyte (Melikgazi Kayseri)
    Assists: 14 – Julie Vanloo (Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring)
    Steals: 6 - Multiple Players
    Blocks: 4– Peyton Williams (NKA Universitas Peac)

    Wednesday, December 13

    Melikgazi Kayseri 81-55 Movistar Estudiantes
    Olympiacos SFP 53-72 TTT Riga
    KP TANY Brno 71-63 Lattes-Montpellier
    TARR KSC Szekszard 77-89 Spar Girona
    Zabiny Brno 73-63 Besiktas
    InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow 74-67 Union Feminine Angers
    Flammes Carolo Basket 71-71 Roche Vendee BC
    Castors Braine 84-62 Cadi La Seu

    Thursday, December 14

    Panathinaikos AC 56-66 VBW Arka Gdynia 
    Antalya BSB Toroslar BC 51-108 Tango Bourges Basket 
    NKA Universitas Pecs 75-51 Caledonia Gladiators 
    MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec 90-90 Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring 
    Bursa Uludag Basketbol 53-77 London Lions 
    BCF Elfic Fribourg 63-83 Umana Reyer Venezia 
    Kangoeroes Mechelen 75-70 Lointek Gernika Bizkaia 
    BDS Dinamo Sassari 79-73 Basket Namur Capitale 

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