FIBA Basketball Champions League: Regular Season locked
FIBA Basketball Champions League Regular Season participants are now locked as eight clubs joined the tournament by winning their qualification ties. Through six rounds, teams have whittled down to 8 who will enter the FIBA Basketball Champions League Regular Season and will contest the predetermined teams through groups A to D.
It was certainly an evening for home teams, as only one club managed to taste victory on the road.
Nanterre used home court advantage to secure an 80-75 victory and progress to the Regular Season. The hosts led by seven at halftime, but Minsk made it a one-point game through thirty minutes. A 24-18 run in the fourth act settled the game for the French hosts. Alde Aminu paced the victory with 17 points and 8 rebounds.
Bateland Capo d’Orlando went big in front of its own fans to destroy Avtodor Saratov 92-59. As the score suggests, the hosts controlled long periods of the game. The Italians were hot in the danger zone, claiming 56 of its points in the paint.41-28 in rebounds also proved significant as the hosts controlled the posts. Jakob Wojciechowski drained 17 points in the win.
Estudientes will play Champions League hoops this season, but had to pass an overtime test to see off Groningen 77-69 in this qualifier. The home team tightened in defense as the game wore on, stopping the visitors at a lowly 7 points in the fourth quarter. Swing an Sylven Landesberg dropped 17 points in victory, while Goran Suton secured 12 points and 7 boards.
Ludwigsburg picked up a rare road win in the Champions League on Tuesday, surpassing Brussels to win 50-75. The German travelers crushed their opponents and led early and rarely looked back. Dwayne Evans was a consistent threat in the win, pacing the team with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Ludwigsburg will now take its place in Group B of the Regular Season.
Pinar Karsiyaka downed Alba Fehervar 81-72, using a confident second half to complete the qualification process. During the first half, the teams traded buckets and the lead to tie proceedings 38 apiece through the long break. Karsiyaka grabbed the momentum with a 18-15 third and pulled away in the fourth act.
Rosa Radom sent Antwerp packing with a secure 83-70 home win that rarely looked in doubt. The game was changed in the second frame as Rosa claimed a 24-15 run that gave the team control of the scoreboard. Antwerp Giants were not helped by an ill-disciplined performance that resulted in 24 personal fouls. Michael Sokolowski scored 18 points to propel Rosa.
Juventus edged passed Lukoil Academic with an 86-79 win. A 26-14 first quarter gave the hosts a fantastic platform to build the win. However, Lukoil arguably had the better of the game thereafter and threatened to fight back until the closing minutes of the contest.