Eurocup Round: 1 (Top 16) 19  january  2011

Eurobasket.com
Group I
Unics — Gran Canaria 67-64
Unics victoriously opened the EuroCup Last 16 stage. They held off Gran Canaria in Group I opener. Ricky Minard came off the bench to score 16 points in the victory. It was a tough battle of two well-matched teams. Jaycee Carroll (188-G-83, agency: Priority Sports) allowed Gran Canaria to open the game confidently. The Spanish team led for some time throughout the opening stanza but Unics tied the score at 16 at the first break. Jaycee Carroll continued to deliver for the visitors as they posted a 32:28 halftime advantage. But Unics improved their performance after the long break. They adjusted their defense to limit Gran Canaria to 12 points in the period. The hosts narrowed the margin to a single point with ten minutes remaining. Unics eventually pulled in front and sneaked past Gran Canaria in tense last minutes. Hasan Rizvic (212-C-84) and Maciej Lampe scored 12 points each and teamed up for 14 rebounds in the victory. Jaycee Carroll paced Gran Canaria with game-high 22 points. Judson Wallace finished with 9 points in defeat.

Group J
Aris — Budivelnyk 85-69
Aris opened the win count at EuroCup Last 16 stage. They fired past Budivelnyk in Greece tonight. Bobby Brown nailed 23 points and dished out 5 assists to lead the effort. Bobby Brown led Aris in the opening frame. The hosts built a 22:15 lead after ten minutes. Budivelnyk struggled in accuracy committing too many misses. Aris capitalized piling up a 41:30 lead at the interval. The visitors changed the pace in the third term. The Ukrainian team went on a run that put them behind by one 51:52. Aris did not allow Budivelnyk to step in front taking a 59:53 lead at the final intermission. The visitors tipped off the fourth quarter with five unanswered points but then Aris took over. They silenced Budivelnyk with a 26:5 outburst to seal the winning outcome at the end. Konstantinos Sloukas (197-G-90) and Christos Tapoutos knocked down 15 points each for Aris. Zach Morley (203-F-83, college: Wisconsin) and Lamayne Wilson answered with 14 points apiece for Budivelnyk.

Goettingen — Le Mans 75-71
Goettingen posted the first win in EuroCup Last 16 round. They held off visiting Le Mans in Group J opener. Mike Scott stepped up with 27 points and 6 boards to lead the hosts. Goettingen got to a slow start. Le Mans spurred in front in the opening period and recorded a 19:16 lead after ten minutes. The French team maintained the advantage throughout the second term. They enjoyed a 39:32 lead at the interval. Goettingen woke up after the main break. The home team quickly adjusted their offense and started to claw their way back into this one. The German team cut the distance to just two points heading into the fourth stanza. Eventually Goettingen came from behind and celebrated a tough win at the end. Jason Boone (198-F/C-85, college: New York U.) provided 16 points, while Dwayne Anderson finished with 15 for the winners. Antoine Diot (191-G-89) answered with 18 points for Le Mans. Benjamin Dewar had 14 points in the loss.

Group K
Pepsi Caserta — Galatasaray 81-76 OT
Pepsi Caserta defeated Galatasaray in Group K of EuroCup Last 16 round. The teams did not decide on the winner in regulation and had to play extra five minutes. The hosts eventually proved the strength posting the initial win in the group. Ebi Ere chipped in 19 points to lead the home side. Pepsi Caserta dominated in the first half. They limited Galatasaray to only 13 points in the first period to take a 5-point lead at the first break. The Italian team kept their opponents at bay in the second stanza. Galatasaray managed only 14 points in the second quarter and faced a 10-point halftime deficit. Galatasaray finally started to tune up offensively in the third term. The visitors unloaded 21 points to trim the distance at the final break. Led by Taylor Rocheste (185-G-85, college: Washington St.) the visitors outgunned Pepsi Caserta 21:12 in the fourth period to force overtime. But Pepsi Caserta pulled together in the extra frame and eked out a tough win at the end. Fabio Di Bella provided 17 points, 6 assists and 4 boards for the winners. Jumaine Jones accounted for 18 points and 11 rebounds for Pepsi Caserta. Taylor Rocheste responded with 16 points, 6 boards and 3 assists for the Turkish team. Luksa Andric (210-C-85, agency: Beo Basket) netted 15 points in the loss.

Estudiantes — CEZ Nymburk 87-80
Estudiantes opened EuroCup Last 16 round with victory. They held off Nymburk for 1-0 record in Group K. Josh Asselin knocked down 20 points to pace the hosts. The teams got to a flying start. They traded baskets eagerly and stayed close. Estudiantes proved more accurate as they registered a 29:25 lead after ten minutes of action. Estudiantes cleared off in the second term but just before a 6:0 run from the Czech champions that Nymburk as close as a single point. Nymburk finally drew things level at 47 heading into the locker rooms. The teams slowed down in the third term. Estudiantes managed to take control as they entered the final stanza up by five points 69:64. Daniel Clark (210-C-88, agency: Interperformances) sparked a 5:0 run from the home team as they enlarged the gap. Nymburk narrowed the deficit at only two-point mark with under two minutes remaining but Sergio Sanchez came up with a timely three-pointer to silence the visitors. Daniel Clark netted 15 points, grabbed 6 boards and issued 3 assists for Estudiantes. Nik Caner-Medley had 14 points in the win. Pavel Pumprla and Petr Benda replied with 15 points each for Nymburk. Chester Simmons (198-G-82, agency: ZAG Advocates, college: Washington) notched 16 points in the loss.

Group L
Panellinios — Cajasol 82-87 OT
Cajasol registered the first win at the EuroCup Last 16 stage. The Spaniards outscored Panellinios in overtime to improve at 1-0 record in Group L. Louis Bullock knocked down 23 points to pace Cajasol. Louis Bullock was pivotal in the first half. The guard unloaded 14 points in the opening twenty minutes to set the tone. Cajasol led by as many as 5 points at the first break. Cajasol cleared off to a 10-point distance in the second period but the hosts used a 6:0 run to narrow the gap at 7 points 38:45 at halftime. Panellinios went on a comeback rally in the third term. The Hellenes cut the deficit at a single point 56:57 at the final break. Vasilis Xanthopoulos scored five points in a row to level things up at 65 midway through the final stanza. Samo Udrih finally put Panellinios in front 68:65 but Louis Bullock and Satoransky knotted things up at 70. Louis Bullock scored quick five points in the extra period as Cajasol spurred in charge for good. Mindaugas Katelynas (205-F-83, college: Chattanooga) netted 16 points and collected 7 rebounds for Cajasol. Paul Davis notched 14 points in the victory. Torin Francis answered with 16 points and 10 caroms for Panellinios. Vangelis Sklavos had 15 points in the loss.

Benetton TV — ALBA 75-71
Benetton remained the only undefeated team in the EuroCup season. They held off Alba to spoil the perfect record of the German side tonight. Benetton thus improved at 1-0 record in EuroCup Last 16 Group L. Greg Brunner and Devin Smith (196-G/F-81, college: Virginia) nailed 15 points each to lead the Treviso outfit. Benetton used a 7:0 run early in the encounter to take the lead. They maintained it throughout the starting period posting a 24:18 advantage after ten minutes. Alba however went on a 6:0 run of their own in the second term to surge ahead. Benetton immediately answered with seven straight points and rolled to a 45:35 halftime advantage. Hrvoje Peric and Devin Smith kept Alba at distance in the third quarter. Benetton posted a comfortable 66:53 lead with ten minutes to go. The hosts kept control and though Alba got as close as 6 points with under three minutes remaining Benetton kept it cool and drove to the victory at the end. Ryan Toolson (193-G-85, college: Utah Valley St.) and Donatas Motiejunas produced 9 points each for the winning team. Derrick Allen answered with 18 points for Alba. Tadija Dragicevic had 12 points in defeat.
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