Double overtime delight for BLMA; Galatasaray make opening night statement

MUNICH (Germany) - There was drama on the first night of the brand new EuroCup Women Regular Season, including BLMA winning a double-overtime epic and Galatasaray Cagdas Factoring showing their teeth.

BLMA claimed a memorable 90-87 Group K win on the road in Czech Republic against the heartbroken Zabiny Brno, dodging some bullets to ride out winners off the back of an eye-popping 34 points and 14 boards from Haley Peters, plus 11 assists from Julie Vanloo.

Galatasaray have won multiple EuroCup Women titles and they showed they are out for more silverware as they powered past Slavia Banka Bystrica 94-52 in Group C. Alaina Coates proved too hot to handle with 25 points and 9 rebounds. 

There was overtime tension in Group A as well, with home side Crvena Zvezda MTS enjoying a thrilling 88-87 win against Ramat Hasharon. Snezana Colic handed out 9 assists, with Chelsie Hall scoring a team-high 16 points. The defeat was tough on Alisia Jenkins who harvested an amazing 31 points, 17 rebounds and 5 assists.

There was a Group C thriller between Piestanske Cajky and InvestInTheWest Enea Gorzow as the latter claimed a 70-68 road victory. With 26 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists, Australian forward Alanna Smith was the difference-maker.

There was overtime drama in Group D as VBW Arka Gdynia came out on top 86-78 against Polskie Przetwory Bydgoszcz in an all-Polish clash. Kristina Higgins netted 25 points for Gdynia while Sparkle Taylor was unfortunate to be on the losing team with 27 points, 11 boards and 5 assists. 

OGM Ormanspor had to hold off a late rescue bid at FCC UAV Arad to take a 68-64 Group D success in Romania. Reshanda Gray excelled with 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Damla Gezgin in the go-ahead three in crunch time.

Group E also had a nail-biter as ACS Sepsi-SIC slipped past Elitzur Holon 76-75, benefitting from a late turnover from their opponents who had the chance to win with the last shot. Danish forward Maria Jespersen showed out with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals. 

Cadi La Seu soared past BBC Grengewald 71-47 in Group I thanks mainly to 15 points and 12 rebounds from Taylor Koenen. In the same group, Casademont Zaragoza won 81-67 at Castors Braine. A tremendous 32-15 third period was central, as was 29 points from Leonie Fiebich.

Roche Vendee Basket Club had 23 points from Tima Pouye to thank for a 79-71 Group J win against Dinamo Banco Di Sardegna, with Joyner Holmes registering 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Italians.

Perhaps stung by missing out in the EuroLeague Women Qualifiers, Villeneuve d'Ascq LM took their frustration out on London Lions with an 80-59 Group J win that was fuelled by 21 points from Hind Ben Abdelkader.

Finally in Group L, Flammes Carolo Basket swept aside domestic rivals Angers 89-60, with Emily Engstler the standout baller with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

FIBA