By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Buducnost VOLI defeated Virtus Segafredo Bologna, 68-62, and Gran Canaria prevailed, 91-90, against Valencia in overtime as the top four teams of 7DAYS EuroCup Regular Season Group B collided Tuesday evening.
Montenegrin guard Petar Popovic starred for the team coached by Aleksandar Dzikic pouring a career-high 23 points at Virtus Segafredo Arena. He connected 8/12 field goals, including five three-pointers. Buducnost jumped to 8-4 after losing the last couple of EuroCup affairs.
Missing Marco Belinelli, Milos Teodosic, Ekpe Udoh, Awudu Abass, JaKarr Sampson, and Kevin Hervey, the Italian side got swept in the two-game series opposite the Montenegrin champions, part of the 18-game Regular Season schedule. Mouhammadou Jaiteh posting a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double was not enough to prevent the drop to 6-5 after three consecutive home wins in EuroCup.
At Gran Canaria Arena, the home side stormed back from a late six-point deficit to force five extra minutes and take down Valencia in the all-Spanish affair and jump to 9-2. A. J. Slaughter stood out with a game-high 23 points in the Round 12 fixture. John Shurna was out.
The Oranges were coming off four EuroCup wins in a row and eight across all competitions. Slovenian Klemen Prepelic had 18 points as the EuroCup tally dropped to 8-4.
EuroCup Regular Season Group B standings:
1. Gran Canaria 9-2
2. Valencia 8-4
3. Buducnost VOLI 8-4
4. ratiopharm Ulm 6-5
5. Virtus Segafredo Bologna 6-5
6. Umana Reyer Venezia 4-5
7. JL Bourg 4-7
8. Frutti Extra Bursaspor 3-6
9. Cedevita Olimpija 3-7
10. Promitheas 2-8
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net