Roundup: Ben Abdelkader leads Wisla-Can Pack to Cup glory

KRAKOW (EuroLeague Women / EuroCup Women) – There was joy for Wisla Can-Pack over the weekend at the Polish Cup Final Four as Hind Ben Abdelkader led her side to silverware in an absorbing thriller.

OVERTIME CUP JOY FOR WISLA

In a nail-biting clash against Sleza Wroclaw, Wisla Can-Pack came out on top – although only just. They needed overtime to take a memorable 63-62 triumph as Belgian guard Hind Ben Abdelkader poured in 24 points to inspire the win and take the MVP honors.

Meanwhile, despite their morale-boosting first EuroLeague Women success of the season, CCC Polkowice couldn't follow it up with a win in their Semi-Final clash with Sleza Wroclaw as they went down 75-63, to miss out on the prospect of picking up a trophy.

FENERBAHCE TOPPLED IN DERBY

There was a surprise for Turkish league leaders Fenerbahce after they dropped only their second game this season, after being squeezed out 74-73 at city rivals, Istanbul Universitesi. La Tanya White hit 19 points, with Jordan Hooper and Rio Olympian Sasa Cado sharing 34 points.

There was also heartache for Mersin as they were pipped 71-70 at home to Galatasaray, after Isil Alben found her range with 4-of-5 from downtown on her way to 20 points.

Yakin Dogu Universitesi kept up the pressure in second spot after Courtney Vandersloot netted 19 points and handed out 9 assists in a 76-71 win against Hatay.

Bellona Agu used their WNBA champion trio to navigate their way past Besiktas 82-76, as Ann Wauters scored 20 points and was supported by 19 from Jelena Dubljevic and 18 from Chelsea Gray.

Meanwhile Samsun's season shows no sign of turning a corner after the bottom placed side crashed 80-56 on their home court to Adana Aski.

AGONY FOR PASSALACQUA RAGUSA

While they have booked their spot in the EuroCup Women Round of 8, it continues to be a bumpy season in the Italian League for Passalacqua Ragusa. They came within a whisker of toppling leaders Gesam Gas Lucca on the road but were eventually edged out 51-49 despite 15 points from Gaia Gorini. The result leaves Ragusa with six losses and now languishing in sixth spot.

Beretta Famila Schio waltzed their way past Meccanica Nova Vigarano 88-46 as Raffaella Masciadri lit it up with 21 points, while 19 points from Ashleigh Fontenette paced Reyer Venezia in a one-sided 70-39 victory against Carispezia La Spezia.

ESBVA-LM GET BACK INTO THE MIX

After an inconsistent start to the season, ESBVA-LM have propelled themselves back into the heart of the title shake-up in France, as Johanne Gomis and Alina Iagupova shared 38 points as they beat leaders Flammes Carolo Basket 79-64.

It's the opposite for Tango Bourges Basket who may be on a four-game winning run in EuroLeague Women, but continue to drop games domestically and are in danger of falling out of contention. Their latest setback was a shock 69-65 loss at Le Prado against Hainaut Basket.

Elsewhere, BLMA surged to a 77-49 win at Cavigal Nice thanks mainly to 22 points from veteran forward Geraldine Robert to keep up their title bid. Basket Landes are also hanging in there after beating Angers UFAB49 65-57, as Celine Dumerc netted 20 points and the returning Queralt Casas showed she is over her injury problems with 30 minutes of court time.

Finally, Nantes Reze used 10 points and 10 assists from Quianna Chaney to negotiate their way past Tarbes Gespe Bigorre 68-63.

ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE

In Liga Femenina, Perfumerias Avenida saw off CREF Hola 75-63, with Adaora Elonu, Erika Souza and Laura Gil all contributing 14 points.

Spar Citylift Girona stormed past Lacturale Araski 80-57 as Ify Ibekwe starred with 23 points.

PEAC-Pecs delivered a comprehensive derby success against PINKK Pesci 424 in the Hungarian League, as Jessica Kuster and Sanja Mandic both scored 17 points.

All of the top clubs in the Russian Premier League went through the weekend unscathed as leaders UMMC Ekaterinburg swept aside Enisey Krasnoyarsk 91-53 – headlined by 25 points from Brittney Griner. Dynamo Kursk won 85-54 in Vologda as Nnemkadi Ogwumike hit the heights with 27 points and 10 boards, while Nadezhda returned to winning ways by defeating Kazanochka 78-56.

FIBA