By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The third round of Eurocup’s Last 32 started with four games on Tuesday night, as Limoges made an amazing performance and destroyed Valencia at home (72-92), ending the Spanish team’s unbeaten streak.
For the winners, Nobel Boungou-Colo was unstoppable with 23 points on 9 for 10 shooting and 5/5 from the three-point range, with four more players scoring in double figures. On the other hand, Boban Dubljevic scored 16 points for the Spaniards, with Justin Hamilton adding 12 points and eight rebounds.
Limoges had control of the game in the beginning (13-21), but the hosts fought back and the first half ended in a draw (44-44). Things didn’t change much in the third quarter (58-65), however the visitors simply exploded in the last one. Executing perfectly on both ends of the floor, they outscored their opponents 27-14, earning the biggest victory of the season so far.
In Thessaloniki, a 27-13 run in the second quarter helped Oldenburg beat PAOK 68-81, claiming its second win in group I (2-1). On the other hand, the Greeks suffered their second loss (1-2).
Although the match was close in the beginning (15-16), the German team enhanced its overall performance in the second quarter, took a double-digit lead (28-43) and never looked back, with PAOK being unable to make a come-back.
For the winners, four players scored in double figures, with Brian Qvale having 15 points and six rebounds. On the other hand, Will Hatcer scored 17 points.
In Berlin, Aris Thessaloniki (1-2) came close to earn a crucial victory on the road, however Alba went on a 24-9 in the fourth quarter and prevailed over the Greeks (82-67), behind Dragan Milosavljevic’s extraordinary performance (16 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists).
For the Germans, Elmedin Kikanovic had 22 points on 10 for 14 shooting, while Dominic Waters and Jerel McNeal both scored 20 points for Dimitris Priftis’ team, which suffered its fourth straight loss in all competitions.
Although Alba earned a double-digit advantage in the beginning (30-20), Aris responded and tied the game at the end of the third quarter (58-58). However, the hosts executed very well on both ends of the floor and managed to outscore their opponents 24-9 in the last quarter to win the game.
In Italy, Emporio Armani Milano enhanced its performance in the fourth quarter (2-1) and beat Neptunas (1-2) 79-71 to claim its second straight win in group J.
For the winners, five players scored in double figures, with Jamel McLean having 15 points and nine rebounds. On the other hand, Jerai Grant made an impressive double-double (15 points, 12 rebounds), as three more players scored in double figures for the losing squad.
Even though Armani had control of the game in the first half (41-32), Neptunas responded and went on a 12-22 run to take the lead at the end of the third quarter (53-54). In the fourth quarter, though, the Italians stood tall and outscored their opponents 26-17 to earn a crucial, yet difficult, win at home.