FIBA Basketball Champions League: quarter-finals underway

We are at the quarter-final stage of the FIBA Basketball Champions League and the round was opened with two contests on Tuesday evening, with the other two to be played on Wednesday. The best of 3 series tipped off as Bayreuth defeated Ludwigsburg in an all-German tie to take a 1-0 series lead.

Elsewhere, Murcia capped an evening of road wins with a dominating first half display that helped build a victory over Pinar Karsiyaka in Turkey.

Ludwigsburg vs. Bayreuth, 81-86

Bayreuth took a big step towards the FIBA Basketball Champions League with a road win over Ludwigsburg. The victory gave the team a 1-0 series lead and allows Bayreuth to potentially wrap up the tie at home next week. During the first quarter, the hosts got off to the better start, taking an 18-10 lead. A 23-23 second frame allowed Ludwigsburg to hold an eight point lead at 41-33 through halftime. However, the momentum shifted in the second half as Bayreuth took the third act 21-24 to reduce the deficit to 62-57 after thirty minutes, before completing the comeback with a huge 19-29 fourth quarter.

Pinar Karsiyaka vs. UCAM Murcia, 65-79

Like Bayreuth, UCAM Murcia is in the driving seat of its FIBA Basketball Champions League quarter-final after dominating Pinar Karsiyaka on the road. The cruising win means the Spanish team heads to home comforts next week knowing a win in front of its own fans punches a ticket to the Final Four. The guests signaled their intentions early on with an attacking first quarter, leading 15-26 after 10 minutes. A 15-23 second act allowed Murcia a commanding 30-49 advantage through the long break and the damage had been done. Karsiyaka calmed down in the second half and was in the game, even winning the third quarter 21-14. However, it was too little too late for the hosts as Murcia cruised to success.