FIBA Basketball Champions League: 3 make Quarterfinals
The business end of the FIBA Basketball Champions League is taking shape. Three of the eight ties were solved on Tuesday, with the final contests to be decided tomorrow. After two legs of 1/8 Finals action, we know three clubs that are making their way to the next stage.
ASVEL Lyon, Banvit, and Dinamo Sassari all progressed on Tuesday.
Banvit vs. EWE Baskets Oldenburg, 70-61 (152-143)
Banvit stayed strong at home to down Oldenburg and sweep into the Quarterfinals phase. However, this was a success built last week in Germany when Banvit secured an impressive 82-82 draw. EWE Baskets was leading 14-20 through the first quarter but collapsed in the second and scored just four points. The Turkish hosts could control the game from there. Jordan Theodore topped the win with 22 points, while Gasper Vidmar secured a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Le Mans Sarthe Baskets vs. Dinamo Sassari, 66-68 (129-147)
Dinamo Sassari headed to France with the biggest leg one advantage. The Italian club was in cruise control and already had a firm foot in the final eight of the FIBA Basketball Champions League. Le Mans certainly made a go of this contest and the hosts were 35-30 in front through the long break. The French club was in the game, and after thirty minutes the deficit was smaller. Le Mans trailed by just 7 points behind. However, Sassari won its only quarter of the game when it counted, claiming the fourth act to seal the tie.
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ASVEL Lyon vs. Aris Thessaloniki, 81-67, (148-134)
After a 67-67 draw in Greece last week, ASVEL entered this game with home advantage. The French club did not disappoint in front of its own fans and delivered a commanding performance to reach the next stage of the FIBA Basketball Champions League. The hosts stayed consistent as Aris’ offence was all over the place. The guests scored 25 points for a three-point lead through the first act, but then added just 6 points in the second. Lyon stayed strong at the bucket throughout and slowly pulled away as the game progressed.