Eurocup Quarterfinals set
The Eurocup Quarterfinals has been set after the completion of the Eighthfinals stage on Wednesday, sending the final four teams through to the next round.
Four clubs also progressed to the Eurocup Quarterfinals on Tuesday, but how did Wednesday’s games play out around the continent?
Herbalife Gran Canaria Las Palmas vs. Limoges CSP, 77-78
Gran Canaria lost on its home hardwood in Spain in game 2, but still progressed to the Eurocup Quarterfinals thanks to 65-82 win in France last week. Last season’s runner-up is on course after a 159-143 aggregate success. The guests won the first quarter 18-24, before Gran Canaria reversed in the second frame to tie the game 42-42 at halftime. A 12-19 third act gave Limoges hope, but the hosts knuckled down in the fourth quarter to close the gap and ensure progression.
Ali Traore led the futile win with 19 points, while Bo McCalebb added 17 points and Nobel Bongou-Colo 16 points.
Alen Omic paced Gran Canaria with 15 points, followed by Brad Newley with 13 points and Kevin Pangos with 12 points.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Banvit Bandirma, 79-76
After edging Banvit 69-72 in Turkey last week, Milan had the legs once again at home and recorded another three point win to take the tie 151-145. The Turkish visitors never let the game go though and Milan was made to work hard throughout. Banvit was leading 41-47 through halftime and was on course to progress to the last 8. However, Milan responded in the second half with 38-29 stretch during the second part of the game to win the contest.
Jamal McLean topped the winners with 16 points and 7 rebounds, with Olivier Lafayette adding 15 points and Krunoslav Simon 13 points.
Adrian Moerman led the losing effort with 18 points, while Dominique Johnson added 16 points.
Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Nizhny Novgorod, 89-74
After losing 102-76 on the road last week, Zenit had a mountain to climb at home to progress. The club played fantastic to down Nizhny Novgorod, but ultimately last week’s loss did the damage and Nizhny qualified with a 165-176 aggregate score, the largest of the Eighthfinals. Novgorod was ahead 41-43 through the long break, leaving Zenit with just twenty minutes to turn the game. Sadly it failed despite the hosts plundering 53 points in an impressive second half.
Ryan Toolson was inspired with 24 points in the win, while Zabien Dowdell scored 15 points and Anton Pushkov 14 points.
Semen Antonov pushed Nizhny with 18 points, followed by Victor Rudd with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Unics Kazan vs. Stelmet Zielona Gora, 54-71
VTB United League high flyers Unics Kazan collapsed at home to Gora, with the Polish guests stunning the Russians to make the Eurocup Quarterfinals with a 139-126 score over two legs. The Kazan club (unbeaten in 13 domestically) looked in control at the midway buzzer, the scoreboard reading 33-29. However, the hosts fell apart as Gora ascended in the second half, yielding the lead through a 10-23 third act, allowing the visitors to never look back.
Mateusz Ponitka topped the winning team with 18 points, while Dee Bost added 17 points and handed out 7 scoring passes.