By Eurhoops / info@eurohoops.net
The final round of the BKT EuroCup regular season is being played this Wednesday and, following the game between U-BT Cluj-Napoca and Aris Thessaloniki Betsson, the 12 teams advancing to the next stage of the competition are now confirmed.
In this do-or-die clash for both teams, the balance clearly tipped in favor of the Romanians, who secured a convincing 111–92 victory to book their place in the playoffs.
After a strong first quarter (31–21), the hosts saw their lead continue to grow as the minutes passed. Thanks to outstanding performances from Karel Guzman (19 points) and Iverson Molinar (20 points), the home side won every quarter of the game to seal this crucial victory in the best possible way.
Despite a brilliant performance by Bryce Jones, who came close to a triple-double with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, the Greek side bids farewell to the BKT EuroCup.
Meanwhile, Turk Telekom Ankara closed out its regular season with another convincing win, defeating NINERS Chemnitz 79–62. Kyle Allman and Jaleen Smith stood out for the home team with 14 points each.
In a game that could be played again very soon, Buducnost VOLI Podgorica defeated Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse 96-84. Despite the win, the home team could not reach the French side, that finished in the second spot of Group B to jump straight to quarterfinals.
BAXI Manresa finished the regular season in the fifth position after dominating Veolia Towers Hamburg, that puts an end to its season with a very disappointing 2-16 balance. Agustín Ubal (24 points) was the highest scorer of the game.
The fourth spot of that group was finally for Umana Reyer Venice, that defeated already number one seeded team Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem 83-80 thanks to a great game of Kyle Wiltjer, who scored 22 points.
EuroCup Round 18
Group A
Slask Wroclaw – Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 81-114
U-BT Cluj-Napoca – Aris Thessaloniki Betsson 111-92
Turk Telekom Ankara – NINERS Chemnitz 79-62
Neptunas Klaipeda – Bahcesehir College Istanbul 86-91
Veolia Towers Hamburg – BAXI Manresa 94-116
Umana Reyer Venice – Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem 83-80
Standings
1. Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem 13-5
2. Bahcesehir College Istanbul 12-6
3. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 12-6
4. Umana Reyer Venice 11-7
5. BAXI Manresa 11-7
6. U-BT Cluj-Napoca 9-9
7. Aris Thessaloniki Betsson 8-10
8. Neptunas Klaipeda 7-11
9. Slask Wroclaw 5-13
10. Veolia Towers Hamburg 2-16
Group B
Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens – Besiktas GAIN Istanbul 74-114
Dolomiti Energia Trento – ratiopharm ulm 76-68
Turk Telekom Ankara – NINERS Chemnitz 79-62
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica – Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse 96-84
London Lions – Lietkabelis Panevezys (11/2)
Standings
1 Besiktas GAIN Istanbul 13-5
2 Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse 13-5
3 Buducnost VOLI Podgorica 11-6
4 Turk Telekom Ankara 12-6
5 Dolomiti Energia Trento 11-7
6 NINERS Chemnitz 9-9
7 ratiopharm ulm 7-11
8 London Lions 5-12
9 Lietkabelis Panevezys 4-13
10 Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens 3-15