Umana Reyer Venice, Lointek Gernika Bizkaia jump to the Play-Off Round 1

MUNICH (Germany) - Three-time finalists Umana Reyer Venice have taken one step towards a potential fourth appearance in the showpiece game after joining Lointek Gernika Bizkaia in the next phase.

Both clubs claimed their respective spots in the Play-Off Round 1 on Thursday night, following on from several other teams who also booked their places during the penultimate week of the Regular Season.

Key Storylines

- Umana Reyer Venice and Lointek Gernika Bizkaia take Play-Off Round 1 tickets on Thursday

- Cadi La Seu, TTT Riga and Melikgazi Kayseri all win to advance on Wednesday

- London Lions secured top spot in Group I after beating Castors Braine in Tuesday's game

- Exciting last week of Regular Season action lies in wait, including a possible 4-way tie in Group L

Thursday, November 23
There was a dramatic outcome in France as Lointek Gernika Bizakia emerged from Lattes Montpellier with a nerve-shredding 67-66 victory in Group D. A go-ahead triple from Gabby Nikitinaite with just under 90 seconds remaining was a difference-maker as a Crystal Bradford basket then sealed the deal. 

Meanwhile, Reyer came alive in the second-half to eventually lock down the visiting NKA Universitas  Pecs 73-58 as they marched into the next stage of the competition. The twin turbos of Matilde Villa and Jessica Shepard excelled with the former adding 15 points and 8 assists, while Shepard had a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Elsewhere on Thursday, there could still be a rare four-way tie next week in Group L, since all four clubs still have a shot at advancing. That arose after Swiss outfit BCF Elfic Fribourg won a classic 93-89 against VBW Arka Gdynia, mainly off the back of a combined 49 points from Miriam Uro-Nile and Qadashah Hoppie. 

Wednesday, November 22
Several teams celebrated making the next stage of the competition, including Turkish side Meligazi Kayseri  who won 83-58 in Group F against MBK Ruzomberok. Lithuanian center Gintare Petronyte starred with a powerful 23 points, 15 boards and 4 assists. 

TTT Riga got the win they needed in Group F to secure their own spot and that of Kayseri as they moved past Olympiacos SFP 59-55 in a defensively dominated game. Kyra Lambert was the difference-maker with 23 points.

The most dramatic action saw Cadi La Seu win 74-70 in Group A at Flammes Carolo Basket. The Spanish side looked to be well on course for a victory, only for Flammes to tie things up at 70-70. That set up an exciting conclusion, with Cadi wrapping things up from the free-throw line. with Margaret Bair doing the business with 19 points. 

Tuesday, November 21
London Lions stormed past nearest rivals Castors Braine 93-53 to mover to  5-0 for the campaign. They were on fire from the tip-off, with Holly Winterburn stealing the show. 

The Great Britain guard sunk six shots from downtown in the first-half and eventually finished with 22 points as well as a super 7 steals. Her headline effort was supported by  Karlie Samuelson who netted 22 points and had 7 boards.

Highs

Efficiency: 40 - Gintare Petronyte (Melikgazi Kayseri)
Points: 37 – Amanda Cahill (BBC Grengewald)
Rebounds: 15 – Gintare Petronyte (Melikgazi Kayseri), Kayla Alexander (Tango Bourges Basket)
Assists: 12 – Dalia Donsichyte (Kibirkstis)
Steals: 7 - Holly Winterburn (London Lions)
Blocks: 3 – Melek Uzunoglu (Besiktas), Rebecca Tobin (Olympiacos SFP)

Tuesday, November 21

Group I: London Lions 93-53 Castors Braine

Wednesday, November 22

Group A: Zabiny Brno 93-45 Eleftheria Moschatou;  Flammes Carolo Basket 70-74 Cadi La Seu 
Group B: Piestanske Cajky 81-54 T71 Diddeleng; Spar Girona 94-68 InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow 
Group C: Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring 74-62 Union Feminine Angers; Kibirkstis 87-78 CSM Constanta 
Group E: Besiktas 93-79 Kangoeroes Mechelen 
Group F: Melikgazi Kayseri 83-58 MBK Ruzomberok; TTT Riga 59-55 Olympiacos SFP
Group H: Tango Bourges Basket 86-51 KP TANY Brno 
Group K: TARR KSC Szekszard 54-56 Movistar Estudiantes 
Group L: Roche Vendee Basket 72-62 Emlak Konut SK 

Thursday, November 23

Group D: Lattes-Montpellier 66-67 Lointek Gernika Bizkaia 
Group E: Panathinaikos AC 66-64 Slavia Banska Bystrica 
Group G: SL Benfica 53-64 Caledonia Gladiators 
Group H: BBC Grengewald 91-90 Antalya BSB Toroslar 
Group I: GDESSA-Barreiro 68-82 Rutronik Stars Keltern 
Group J: Bursa Uludag Basketbol 60-50 Ragusa Dubrovnik; Umana Reyer Venice 73-58 NKA Universitas Pecs 
Group K: BDS Dinamo Sassari 88-65 Levhartice Chomutov 
Group L: BCF Elfic Fribourg 93-89 VBW Arka Gdynia 

FIBA