Cedevita and Ulm clinch Eurocup playoff berths
The regular season is nearing its completion, and Wednesday of Round 16 saw Cedevita win to clinch a playoff berth. Ulm, which triumphed on Tuesday, also advanced thanks to Wednesday’s results.
Frutti Extra Bursaspor 92-89 Valencia Basket
Bursaspor took a big step towards reaching the playoffs by knocking off Valencia 92-89 at home in Group B. Andrew Andrews led the way with 23 points, including 16 in the final 7 minutes as the hosts won their third straight game to improve to 7-9. Valencia saw its three-game winning streak snap and fell to 11-5 despite 17 points from Xavi Lopez-Arostegui.
Promitheas Patras 61-83 Virtus Segafredo Bologna
Virtus went on the road to run past Promitheas 61-83. Virtus improved to 9-7 for a share of the third-best record in Group B, while Promitheas dropped to a 4-12 record and was mathematically eliminated from the playoff race. Virtus took control in the first quarter opened its first double-digit lead in the second before breaking the game wide open with a huge third quarter behind Isaia Cordinier, who had 22 points and six assists. Nikolaos Rogkavpoulos scored 20 in a losing effort.
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana 105-90 Umana Reyer Venice
Cedevita stormed into the post-season from Group B by blowing out Reyer 105-90 to the delight of its home fans in the Slovenian capital. Cedevita, which led by as many as 32 points in the second half, raised its record to 9-7, and Reyer fell to 7-9. Zach Auguste led six Cedevita double-figure scorers with 20 points. Yogi Ferrell followed with 17. Reyer’s Victor Sanders hit seven three-pointers on the way to a game-high 24 points.
Boulogne Metropolitans 92 86-78 Joventut Badalona
Metropolitans grabbed an important victory in its fight for home-court advantage in the first knock-out stage by beating Joventut 86-78 at home in Group A. Metropolitans won its fifth game in the last six to improve to 9-5 – including a 7-1 record at home – as Jordan McRae paced the winners with 24 points. Joventut dropped its second straight road game to fall to 11-4. Simon Birgander scored 16 in defeat.
Gran Canaria 84-64 Buducnost VOLI Podgorica
Gran Canaria took a major step forward in the fight for first place in Group B by downing Buducnost 84-64 at home. Gran Canaria improved to 12-4 in the standings and needs one more win – or Valencia Basket to lose once – to seal first place. Buducnost dropped to 9-7. With the win, Gran Canaria locked up at least a second-place finish in Group B and home-court advantage in the eighth-finals. Olek Balcerowski led the winners with 15 points. D.J. Seeley paced Buducnost with 19.