MUNICH (Germany) - The final four FIBA Europe Cup teams stand tall as the Quarter-Finals concluded on Wednesday night.
PAOK BC, Surne Bilbao Basket, Falco Vulcano KC Szombathely and UCAM Murcia all progressed to the Semi-Finals on a nail-biting night of action.
Key Storylines
Szombathely progress to their first-ever Semi-Final;
Spaniards Murcia overcome scare to beat Reggiana;
PAOK secure last four spot, despite second leg defeat;
Defending champs Bilbao ease through over Aliaga Petkimspor.
Weekly Highs
Efficiency: Alvaro Cardenas (Peristeri Betsson) - 27 Points: Benedek Varadi (Falco Vulcano KC Szombathely) - 23 Rebounds: Jonah Radebaugh (UCAM Murcia) - 12 Assists: Multiple players - 6 Steals: Patrick Beverley (PAOK BC) - 4 Blocks: Samuel Payne (Peristeri Betsson) - 4
Bosna's win not enough as Szombathely squeeze through to first Semi-Final
Falco Vulcano KC Szombathely progressed to the Semi-Finals, even though they lost 78-70 in the second leg to KK Bosna BH Telecom.
However, despite trailing for most of the game, the Hungarians edged the tie overall 151-144 on aggregate. Alfonso Plummber led Bosna with 20 points, as he drained four three-pointers.
That was bettered by Benedek Varadi's 23-point effort, as he shot 7-for-10 from beyond the arc for the visitors.
Murcia made to work hard but advance
UCAM Murcia booked their ticket to the last four as they beat Pallacanestro Reggiana 77-63 on the night and 162-147 overall.
The Italian side gave them a scare in a game with seven lead changes. But the Spanish side weathered the storm, and a 31-19 fourth quarter eventually saw them advance.
Jonah Radebaugh and David De Julius both had 14 points for Murcia, with the former pulling down 12 boards, while Jaime Echenique led Reggiana with a game-high 15 points.
Peristeri get the win, but PAOK get the last laugh
PAOK BC advanced to the Semi-Finals despite losing the second leg with Greek rivals Peristeri Betsson 88-80. Their 31-point home victory did enough damage to give PAOK an 181-158 aggregate victory. Alvaro Cardenas had 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists to lead Peristeri, with Ty Nichols adding 18, as they tried to play an up-tempo game, given they had a 31-point first-leg deficit to overcome.
Peristeri did score 19 points in transition, but PAOK played a steady hand all game long and kept their fellow Greek side at bay to protect their advantage.
Breein Tyree led PAOK with 20 points, with Patrick Beverley adding 19.
Bilbao march on at the expense of valiant Petkimspor
Surne Bilbao Basket have reached their third straight FIBA Europe Cup Semi-Final with an 85-60 victory over Aliaga Petkimspor completing a 162-129 win on aggregate.
Already leading by eight after the first leg, the holders raced to a 31-16 lead after the first quarter, making an already steep climb for Petkimpsor impossible to conquer, but despite defeat, they showed great heart and kept battling.
Justin Jaworski and Luke Petrasek both had 14 points to lead Bilbao. Yannick Franke had 13 in reply for Petkimspor.
Results
Peristeri Betsson 88-80 PAOK BC (PAOK win 181-158 on aggregate) KK Bosna BH Telecom 78-70 Falco Vulcano KC Szombathely (Szombathely win 151-144 on aggregate) Surne Bilbao Basket 85-60 Aliaga Petkimspor (Bilbao win 162-129 on aggregate) UCAM Murcia 77-63 Pallacanestro Reggiana (Murcia win 162-147 on aggregate)
FIBA