Peristeri hold off Bakken for maiden win, Mobley triple-double propels Zaragoza to OT triumph

MUNICH (Germany) - Wednesday's action in the FIBA Europe Cup saw seven teams continue their unbeaten starts to the season, while there was overtime excitement and plenty of frantic finishes.

Casademont Zaragoza claimed their first win of the competition in dramatic fashion as they edged Hapoel Gilboa Galil in a 91-90 overtime triumph on the road. Matt Mobley starred with a triple-double of 16 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for the Spaniards, while Stan Okoye top scored with 23 points.

"It was a very tough game, on a very difficult court. We started a little slow but then we rowed until we won the game with confidence and heart, which is very important because we are a new team. This victory will give us confidence for the next matches, so let's keep working," said Zaragoza forward Dino Radoncic.

There was also a first win in FIBA Europe Cup history for Peristeri Vitabiotics as they recorded a memorable 85-83 success over Bakken Bears, who drop to 0-2. Terran Petteway led the way for the Greek side with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while five other players had at least 10 points.

The Bears fought back from as many as 13 down with a 34-point final quarter effort as they tied the game down the stretch before Ian Miller responded with the game-winner. Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson finished with 22 points and 7 assists in defeat.

"In the locker room, I congratulated my players because a win is a win. It doesn't matter if you win by one point or by 30. I think our team is under a lot of pressure because of the slow start to the season and that is why, although we played good basketball for most of the game, we sort of panicked towards the end," commented Peristeri head coach Sotiris Manolopoulos.

Bahcesehir College came away from their trip to Greece with the win as Kartal Ozmizrak split a pair of free throws late on to secure a 64-63 victory over Iraklis BC. The visitors recovered from a 15-point deficit to move to 2-0 having never led by more than a single point in the contest in front of a passionate home crowd.

Meanwhile, Mornar Bar improved to 1-1 in Group B as they defeated ZZ Leiden 87-74, despite a 27-point, 11-rebound double-double from Asbjorn Mitgaard.

Legia Warszawa sit a the top of Group H after their 83-66 win over Szolnok moved them to 2-0, while FC Porto defeated CSM CSU Oradea 75-63 to get off the mark as Rashard Odomes posted a 22-point outing.

In Group B, Kyiv Basket moved to 2-0 with an 86-78 victory over Hapoel Eilat behind a strong final quarter effort. The visitors poured in 32 points to take the win on the road with 20 points from Avery Woodson. Trefl Sopot picked up their first win by beating Rilski sportist 90-81 as four players hit double figures in Gdansk.

Telenet Giants Antwerp enjoyed a 92-81 road win at Ionikos BC with Sporting CP earning a first victory in Group F as they overcame Belfius Mons-Hainaut 75-65 as Joshua Patton and Travante Williams combined for 42 points. There was also a first win for another Portuguese side as Benfica were dominant in beating Parma-Parimatch 83-69.

London Lions produced a strong final quarter to overcome Kapfenberg Bulls in a 68-58 victory to join medi Bayreuth at the top of the Group A standings, while Tsmoki-Minsk edged out HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim for an 81-77 triumph in Germany for their second win in Group G.

Earlier, Avtodor Saratov had improved to 2-0 to top Group A with a hard-fought 91-84 win at home to Unahotels Reggio Emilia in a battle of last week's victors. Kenny Chery had 21 points and 8 assists in the win with Zeljko Sakic also adding 21 points.

FIBA