FIBA Europe Cup: last 16 continues
Four contests continued the first leg of the FIBA Europe Cup 1/8 Finals on Wednesday after two games on Tuesday opened the week’s action. There will be a further two games on Sunday and next Wednesday before the second leg contest in two weeks.
BC Enisey took a slender first leg advantage on the road in Ankara, while Rovinari went big in the second half to move past BC Khimik at home. Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt also enjoyed home comforts, romping to victory against AEK Larnaca.
Turk Telekom Ankara vs. BC Enisey, 95-96
BC Enisey edged Turk Telekom on the road to take a slender one point lead into the second leg of this FIBA Europe Cup tie. However, with just a point in it, the Turkish team will feel it can overturn the deficit in Enisey, despite not having home floor advantage. The game was tight throughout with neither team leading by more than 7 points, but Enisey edged it late on by stretching to 96-92 with 11 seconds on the clock to see out the game. The teams matched each other in field goals (50%) and rebounds (34), highlighting what a battle this game was.
David Kennedy led the winners with 19 points, 3 assists, and 7 rebounds, but was outperformed by Ankara’s Corperryale Harris with a game high 27 points.
Energia Targu-Jiu Rovinari vs. BC Khimik, 77-71
Rovinari plundered 48 points in the second half to rally past visiting Khimik and take a six point lead after one game of the clubs’ two leg tie. Khimik was cruising early in the third act with a 29-39 lead, but the hosts started to turn the offensive screw with a 9-2 run and then a 7-0 streak spanning the third and fourth quarters. Rovinari never looked back from that point, but Khimik will rue 50% shooting from the charity strip (8 from 16), a difference that would have won the game.
Callistus Eziukwu doubled up for Rovinari, logging 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Voloymyr Koniev managed 14 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.
Fraport SKYLINERS Frankfurt vs. AEK Larnaca, 83-60
Fraport SKYLINERS took a huge step towards the quarter final with a crushing home win over AEK Larnaca, putting 20 points on the visitors. Barring a collapse on the road in the second leg, the Frankfurt club looks comfortable for a berth in the next round. The onslaught started early and midway through the first half the hosts led 15-5 and 43-24 by time the teams headed into the locker room at halftime. The lead only increased for the Germans in the second half as an overwhelmed Larnaca offered little to stop the Frankfurt charge.
The hosts showed why they are one of the FIBA Europe Cup favourites, scoring 37 off the bench compared to Larnaca’s 10 points. Aaron Doornekamp sank five-of-six three-point efforts to accumulate a game high 19 points in the win, while also adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Brandon Bowman stood out for the guests, nailing 14 points.