Eurochallenge, Mons-Hainaut out, Trabzonspor run snapped

With the Eurochallenge closing in on the knockout stages, the penultimate round of the second stage painted a clearer picture of which clubs will be in the next phase of the competition. However, there is still plenty to play for in the final round next week with qualification places still up for grabs.

Group I
Enel Brindisi kept its Eurochallenge campaign alive with a massive 101-66 victory over Okapi Aalstar on Tuesday that also kept Group I wide open heading into next week. The success saw Enel leapfrog Okapi in the table, but three clubs now have 2-3 records and every team in the group can qualify to the next round. It was a knife edge game for Enel, with the players knowing that defeat would have meant elimination. However, the Italians never looked in doubt, although Okapi made a game of it until midway through the third act before the hosts pulled away for good. Jacob Pullen was the attacking architect for the winners as he posted 25 points and added 5 assists, while the home team dished out 21 scoring passes on the night.

Group J
Nanterre kept Group J completely open by outgunning French rivals Le Mans 85-65 at home. Victory for Le Mans would have seen them progress to the next phase of the Eurochallenge, but Nanterre blitzed their Pro A rivals in the second quarter and never looked back. The hosts were good for 22 points in the second frame, but more importantly they stopped Le Mans at just 6 points. It was enough to open the scoreboard and for Nanterre to take the win. Both teams now hold qualification places with 3-2 records, but both will compete with Usak for the right to progress next week.

Group L
A full schedule in Group L made the qualification picture clearer, although the second place up for grabs will go to the final round next week. Turkish club Trabzonspor Medical Park qualified last week, but the clubs’ momentum slipped this round as it suffered its first defeat of the Second Stage. It was in fact the first loss of this Eurochallenge season for the club and it came at the hands of BC Enisey, with the Russian outfit picking up a 96-82 home win. The victory kept the club in control of second place in Group L with a 3-2 record, but a win next week or Antwerp losing will be needed to ensure progression.

As for the Antwerp Giants, the club kept its hopes of qualifying alive by defeating compatriot Mons-Hainaut 77-84 on the road. The win kept Antwerp in the Group L picture, but the club needs Enisey to lose next week. It is the end of the road for Belfius Mons-Hainaut as the club will play for pride and nothing else next week after behind eliminated. In the Belgian derby, it was a close game but the visitors pulled away in the final quarter and were in front by double digits in the closing minutes. Kyle Fogg led the scoring with 20 points for the Giants, while he was followed by 18 points by Ryan Pearson and 16 points from DeAndre Kane.