Roundup: Derby joy for Reyer Venezia, pressure grows on CCC Polkowice

VENEZIA (EuroCup/EuroLeague Women) – The party was in full swing for Reyer Venezia after they won their weekend derby against Famila Schio, while  CCC Polkowice were felled by Poland’s other EuroLeague Women representatives Wisla CANPACK.

Carangelo carries Reyer Venezia past derby rivals

It has been an outstanding start to the season for Reyer Venezia after they strode past their EuroLeague Women opponents and local rivals Famila Schio in a vibrant 74-60 triumph. Debora Carangelo was the difference-maker with 21 points, while Marie Ruzickova added a double-double of 10 points and 12 boards.

Heat is on at struggling CCC Polkowice

They made a coaching change during the summer and rejuvenated almost their entire roster, but CCC Polkowice have slumped to 1-4 in the fiercely competitive Polish League. Even the first appearance of WNBA winner Temitope Fagbenle was not enough to inspire them as they were torn down 80-67 by Wisla CANPACK, who were fueled by a stellar 26 points from Leonor Rodriguez.

In an all-EuroCup Women encounter, the still unbeaten Artego Bydgoszcz won a thriller 75-73 at Basket 90 Gdynia as Julie McBride added 12 points and 10 assists, alongside 19 points and 7 rebounds from Serbian center, Dragana Stankovic.

Lauren Mansfield had 19 points and 8 assists for Energa Torun as they outstripped MKK Siedlce 86-64 and Sleza Wroclaw raced past Gorzow 79-65 thanks to 21 points from Marissa Kastanek.

Relief for Lointek Gernika Bizkaia

It has been a rough couple of weeks for Spanish side Lointek Gernika Bizkaia so they were relieved to take a nail-biting 78-77 win at Bembibre, as new recruit Alicia Devaughn scored and pulled down 8 rebounds. Her efforts were matched by 10 points and a huge 14 boards from Maria Pina.

Perfumerias Avenida dispatched Cadi La Seu 64-48 with a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds from Angelica Robinson, while Spar Citylift Girona strode past Ferrol 72-54 as center Nadia Colhado claimed a team-high score of 16 points.

Leading clubs make a noise in France

There was no mistake for the leading clubs in the LFB, who all picked up league wins. Tango Bourges bounced back from their EuroLeague Women disappointment in Prague to power their way past Nantes Reze 93-45, as Marine Johannes netted 20 points.

ESBVA-LM continued their momentum as 16 points from Johannah Leedham-Warner took them clear of Nice 79-66. BLMA also recorded a victory as Giorgia Sottana lit it up with 27 points to take her team past Mondeville 95-72 on the road.

Flammes Carolo Basket had to work hard to shrug off Roche Vendee 73-66 as Brazilian Clarissa Dos Santos racked up 18 points and 12 boards, with WNBA champion Renee Montgomery adding 13 points on debut.

In stark contrast, there was a major wake-up call for EuroCup Women participants Saint-Amand, who were swept aside 87-54 at Tarbes.

Confidence boost for Galatasaray

After losing heavily in their EuroLeague Women opener at Sopron Basket last week, Galatasaray picked themselves up to record a morale-boosting 90-79 road win at Bornova Beckerspor, as Jelena Dubljevic and Alexandria Quigley combined for 46 points.

Fenerbahce also won on their travels with Kia Vaughn coming up big as her 24 points and 11 rebounds put Mersin to the sword 64-55. Yakin Dogu Universitesi had to contend with a massive 36 points against them from Alina Iagupova but still managed to ease to a 93-83 win against Cukurova Basketbol.

Hatay sealed a comfortable 67-52 triumph against Botas, while Agu Spor won a tight one 73-68 at Istanbul Universitesi, as Marianna Tolo harvested 19 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. But, the early season struggles of Besiktas show no signs of evaporating after they lost 86-65 at home to Samsun.

Gyor upset arch rivals Sopron

Sopron Basket were left reeling as they lost a 78-77 heartbreaker at CMB Cargo Uni Gyor, with Tijana Krivacevic tormenting her former club by accumulating 20 points and Zsofia Simon hitting the game-winner down the stretch.

KSC Szekszard beat PINKK Pesci 424 by 76-49 off the back of 20 points and 8 rebounds by Sara Krnjic, Aluinvent Miskolc erupted for an 86-46 win at MTK Budapest, while VBWW CEKK Cegled had Dora Medgyessy pulling the strings with 13 assists in a 77-62 home victory against BEAC Ujbuda.

Elsewhere in Europe

TSV 1880 Wasserburg took the honors in a top of the table clash in Germany as they rode out 76-67 winners at Rutronik Stars Keltern. It was a super team effort with six players scoring in double digits.

UMMC and Nadezhda took comfortable Russian Premier League wins against Kazanochka and Dynamo Moscow respectively, with Sparta&K M.R Vidnoje edging past fellow EuroCup Women side Enisey Krasnoyarsk 73-70 for a much needed success as Ivana Dojkic poured in 18 points.

Amanda Zahui plundered 20 points to facilitate an 86-55 win for ZVVZ USK Prague against Basket Zabiny Brno, while Basketball Nymburk were left stunned after being soundly beaten 105-77 at BLK Slavia Prague.

FIBA