Bayreuth overturn first-leg deficit to join Bakken Bears, Bahcesehir and Karsiyaka in advancing

MUNICH (Germany) - Bakken Bears, Bahcesehir College, medi Bayreuth and Pinar Karsiyaka are the last four teams standing after advancing through the Quarter-Finals.

Three of the quartet backed up first-leg wins from last week to continue their quest for the FIBA Europe Cup title with Bayreuth bouncing back from a slender one-point defeat on the road.

It was a strong all-round performance from the German side as they weathered the storm to overcome U-BT Cluj Napoca 100-87 to prevail 182-170 overall. Nate Linhart and Andreas Seiferth netted 15 points apiece with seven players in total reaching double digits.

LJ Peak had a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double in vain for Cluj despite the visitors extending their aggregate advantage to as many as 8 points during the opening period. 

"It is great for us, great for the club and also great for Bayreuth to have made history," said Lukas Meisner. "Of course, it was a very strange game to play in front of empty stands, but it is all the better that we as a team managed to bring such an achievement to the field."

Bahcesehir College produced one of the performances of the season as they blew away Ventspils on their home floor for a dominant 112-90 triumph. Trae Golden was instrumental for the visitors with a competition record 41-point haul along with 11 assists as his side progressed 190-167 on aggregate.

Jamal Jones and Golden combined for 21 of their side's first 23 points as they raced out of the blocks. And, when Dwight Hardy beat the buzzer at the end of the first, it was a commanding 23-point lead on the night for the Turkish side.

JaJuan Johnson had 12 of his 14 points in a four-minute cameo, while Mangok Mathiang tied the FIBA Europe Cup all-time record after grabbing 19 rebounds.

Bakken Bears were first to book their spot in the Semi-Finals after they followed up a convincing first leg victory by beating Tsmoki-Minsk 93-87 on the road to complete a 172-153 aggregate success.

Darko Jukic led the way with 20 points for the Danes with four other players netting at least 13 points in the win. The hosts battled back from a 15-point deficit to set up a tense finish, though they came up short despite 19 points and 18 assists from Rob Lowery.

Meanwhile, Pinar Karsiyaka recovered from a slow start to extend their winning run and brush aside BC Kyiv Basket 177-138 on aggregate with an 88-67 home win. Six players were in double figures; paced by James Birsen's 16 points and 6 rebounds.

FIBA