Zaragoza, Polkowice and Schio win thrillers; Avenida making moves 

MUNICH (Germany) - There was huge excitement on Gameday 8 as Casademont Zaragoza, KGHM BC Polkowice and Beretta Famila Schio won nerve-tingling matchups, while Perfumerias Avenida shone once again.

Elsewhere, ZVVZ USK Praha, DVTK HUN-Therm and Villeneuve d'Ascq all claimed victories, while on Tuesday night, Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding showed their teeth by beating Valencia Basket Club to make it eight wins in a row.

Zaragoza go five straight as as Sepsi snatch defeat from jaws of victory

One week after taking their historic first ever Regular Season win, ACS Sepsi-SIC could and probably should have won back-to-back games for the first time, but instead fell to an agonizing 69-68 home court loss to Casademont Zaragoza. 

The hosts had leads throughout, but left the door open and didn't execute during crunch time. The Spanish visitors took advantage to make it five wins in a row. Borislava Hristova netted 28 points in defeat, while Zaragoza dug it out with a team effort that was typified by an all-action 8 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals from Mariona Ortiz.

Fraser shines as Polkowice slip past Virtus

A 27-point show from Brianna Fraser was instrumental in KGHM BC Polkowice landing a pulsating 81-78 triumph against Virus Segafredo Bologna. With 13 lead changes, it was a real roller-coaster and a big treat for home fans.

Polkowice got it done inside the paint to help seal the deal, while Weronika Gajda also stood out after passing the rock 9 times. Virtus were left ruing a lost opportunity to end their worrying losing streak, which has now moved on to five games. Lauren Cox was the pick for the Italians with a double-double of 12 points and 11 boards.

Relief for Schio as they outlast Lublin

It was far from pretty, but the relief for Beretta Famila Schio was palpable as they dug out a precious and nerve-wracking 70-67 success at Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin. It provided Schio with successive wins for the first time since the opening two weeks of the campaign and re-ignites their challenge for a Quarter-Finals ticket. 

Things could have been different as Lublin chased victory and restricted Schio to just 9 points in the last period, but the Italians clung on, helped by 13 rebounds from the hard-working Jasmine Keys and 14 points from Julia Reisingerova. It was Veronica Burton who top-scored in the game with 18 points and also added 9 assists. 

Avenida lock down Cukurova to complete classy double

Things are looking up for Perfumerias Avenida as they claimed an excellent 67-56 victory against Cukurova Basketbol Mersin in the Game of the Week. That continued their upward curve as they made it three consecutive Group B wins - all based around some tireless work at the defensive end which blunted the Turkish visitors.

It meant that they completed a classy double against their opponents, having also beaten them on the opening day of the new season. It was a win that was built around more brilliance from Sika Kone who continues to improve with every game. She set the early tone, eventually harvesting 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Elizabeth Williams garnered a quality haul of 15 points, 11 boards, 4 steals and 3 blocks for Cukurova. 

Fenerbahce stroll to another win in Spain

It looks like it will take something special this season to wrestle the EuroLeague Women crown from Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding.  A red-hot start witnessed them roar their way to a comfortable 88-64 success at Valencia Basket Club to make it a perfect 8-0.

A 25-10 opening period saw Fenerbahce set the tone and they were still on top in the second period, so effectively out of sight by half-time. Emma Meesseman starred with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Frontcourt partner Natasha Howard added 20 points as the duo helped condemn Valencia to a worrying four losses in succession. 

Highs

Efficiency: 26 – Emma Meesseman (Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding) 
Points: 28 – Borislava Hristova (ACS Sepsi-SIC)
Rebounds: 13 – Valeriane Ayayi
Assists: 9 – Weronika Gajda (KGHM BC Polkowice); Veronica Burton (Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin)
Steals: 6 –  Ellen Nystrom (ACS Sepsi-SIC)
Blocks: 3– Ezi Magbegor (ZVVZ USK Praha); Elizabeth Williams (Cukurova Basketbol Mersin)

Tuesday, December 5

Group A
Valencia Basket Club 64-88 Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding 

Wednesday, December 6

Group A
DVTK HUN-Therm 70-64 LDLC ASVEL Feminin 
ACS Sepsi-SIC 68-69 Casademont Zaragoza 
Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin 67-70 Beretta Famila Schio 

Group B
Serco UNI Gyor 61-89 Villeneuve d'Ascq LM 
KGHM BC Polkowice 81-78 Virtus Segafredo Bologna 
Basket Landes 62-69 ZVVZ USK Praha 
Perfumerias Avenida 67-56 Cukurova Basketbol Mersin 

FIBA