Schio, Cukurova snap up Quarter-Final places; Avenida enjoy huge night

MUNICH (Germany) - The penultimate night of the Regular Season proved dramatic as Cukurova Basketbol Mersin and Beretta Famila Schio landed in the last eight, while Perfumerias Avenida took a pivotal win.

Elsewhere, KGHM BC Polkowice are still fighting, but they felt the pain of the loss to Avenida with the Spanish side's chances transformed. Casademont Zaragoza still have a chance despite being victims of Schio and there were setbacks for Villeneuve d'Ascq LM and Virtus Segafredo Bologna who lost, with Valencia Basket Club winning again to keep hope alive.

Cukurova get it done at last

They've been on the cusp of punching a ticket for the last couple of weeks, but Cukurova Basketbol Mersin have finally has their post-season confirmed again. Having rode their way to Final Four last season, they could be on for a repeat, although had to work hard for their Quarter-Finals place with a 76-71 road win at Serco UNI Gyor.

As usual it was the twin turbos of Marina Mabrey and Elizabeth Williams that did the damage for the Turkish side, with the former amassing 23 points, 6 assists and 5 boards. Williams was a menace in the frontcourt with 14 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks and 3 assists. 

Schio continue their momentum to make the post-season

A scorching first quarter set Beretta Famila Schio on course for a famous victory as they stepped into the Quarter-Finals again with a dominant 73-59 win against Casademont Zaragoza who's debut season is in danger of running out of steam. Schio made a big statement from the outset with a 28-16 opening period and never looked back. 

With Zaragoza again struggling to put up enough points, Schio took full advantage and breezed to a triumph as they also eye up possible consecutive Final Four appearances now. Arella Guirantes did her usual top work and corralled 15 points and 7 boards, with Jasmine Keys stepping up defensively with 4 huge blocks. 

Avenida take a nail-biter to boost prospects

It was an epic away victory for Perfumerias Avenida who wrestled destiny back into their own hands with a nervous and thrilling 78-73 road win at rivals KGHM BC Polkowice. The Spanish side produced an excellent third quarter to get onto the front foot and did the business during crunch time to take victory.

Laura Gil showed her experience with a superb double-double of 25 points and 11 boards, while Leo Rodriquez brought the noise with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Both players showed they had ice running through their veins as they made the decisive free-throws in the closing seconds. Despite the disappointment, Polkowice will be down after this defeat but not out of contention. 

Valencia continue to turn up the heat

They looked to be out of contention a few weeks ago, but Valencia Basket Club are waiting to pounce and potentially squeeze their way into the last eight if anyone around them slips-up. They completed a second huge home win on the spin as they wiped out the already qualified DVTK HUN-Therm 82-52.

It was a well balanced offensive effort from the hosts as they dropped 9 triples and relied on a fine contribution from Merritt Hempe inside as she harvested 24 points with a dazzling 9 of 10 shooting effort. Cristina Ouvina pulled the strings with a super smart 10 points and 5 assists. 

Highs

Efficiency: 32 - Alexia Chery (LDLC ASVEL Feminin)
Points: 25 - Laura Gil (Perfumerias Avenida)
Rebounds: 11 - Elizabeth Williams (Cukurova Basketbol Mersin); Alexia Chery (LDLC ASVEL Feminin); Laura Gil (Perfumerias Avenida)
Assists: 7 - Gabby Williams (LDLC ASVEL Feminin) 
Steals: 5 - Alperi Onar (Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding); Dora Ruff-Nagy (Serco UNI Gyor)
Blocks: 4 - Jasmine Keys (Beretta Famila Schio)

Wednesday, January 24

Group A
ACS Sepsi-SIC 49-82 Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding 
Polski Cukier AZS UMCS Lublin 76-85 LDLC ASVEL Feminin
Valencia Basket Club 82-52 DVTK HUN-Therm
Beretta Famila Schio 73-59 Casademont Zaragoza 

Group B
Serco UNI Gyor 71-76 Cukurova Basketbol Mersin
ZVVZ USK Praha 69-61 Virtus Segafredo Bologna 
KGHM BC Polkowice 73-78 Perfumerias Avenida   
Basket Landes 80-71 Villeneuve d'Ascq LM

FIBA