By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
AJ Slaughter scored 16 out of his 23 points in the fourth period to lead Gran Canaria past a tough Slask Wroclaw team 90 – 81 in the opening day for the two sides in the 2022-23 EuroCup.
With the two teams tied at 64 in the beginning of the final quarter, Slaughter hit one bucket after the other to put Gran Canaria up 82 – 74 with 3:22 to play. Slask Wroclaw remained persistent and then the guard drained the 3-pointer to make it 90 – 81 with a minute to play, and basically seal his team’s win.
Ferran Bassas added 17 points (including two key 3-pointers in the fourth period) plus six assists for Gran Canaria. Lukasz Kolenda led the visiting squad with 23 points.
In Trento, Promitheas Patras took an 89 – 76 win over local Dolomiti Energia thanks to the powerful triad of Trevis Simpson (22 points), Joe Young (22 points) and Arnoldas Kulboka (18 points and 11 rebounds). The Greek side was up 29 – 43 at halftime and led for double figures for the entire second half.
2022 runner-up Bursaspor showed its teeth on the road against contender Cedevita Olimpija. Anthony Clemmons scored 21 points and Ygitcan Saybir added 19 points as the Turkish team prevailed 81 – 73.
Yogi Ferrell had 12 points and seven assists for the hosts.
Day 1 Results:
Group A
Hapoel Tel Aviv – London Lions 76-59
Turk Telekom Ankara – Paris Basketball 75-90
Prometey Slobozhanske – 7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys 82 – 71
Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse – U-BT Cluj-Napoca 88 – 85
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana -Frutti Extra Bursaspor 73 – 81
Group B
Ratiopharm Ulm – Umana Reyer Venice 81-80
Joventut Badalona – Germani Brescia 80-63
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica -Veolia Towers Hamburg
Dolomiti Energia Trento – Promitheas Patras 76 – 89
Gran Canaria – Slask Wroclaw 90 – 81