FIBA Basketball Champions League: Round of 16 picture completed
The FIBA Basketball Champions League Play-Offs have been completed on Wednesday and the Round of 16 has been set. There were four contests today, following from the previous four on Tuesday.
Pinar Karsiyaka Izmir, Banco Sardegna Sassari, EWE Baskets Oldenburg, and AEK Athens progressed to the next round yesterday. Joining them in the Round of 16 today were Aris Thessaloniki, Umana Venezia, Ludwigsburg, and PAOK. Those clubs will join the teams that qualified directly to the last 16 from the Regular Season.
Strasbourg vs. Aris, 81-70
Despite Strasbourg turning it on at home, the French club was eliminated as Aris Thessalonkiki edged into the next round. The visitors protected its 19-point lead from game one to take the aggregate win. Despite winning, Aris will need a more settled performance in the next round as the roster was rotated for 12 players in this game.
Umana Venezia vs. Ventspils, 70-61
Venezia used home court advantage to overturn a 74-67 loss in round 1 and progressed to the Round of 16 in the FIBA Basketball Champions League. The hosts harried Ventspils throughout, outrebounding 17-6 in offence and forcing 21 turnovers. Michael Bramos stood out in the victory with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds.
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Reisen Ludwigsburg vs. Maccabi Rishon, 84-82
Ludwigsburg edged Rishon at home, but the Germans eased into the Round of 16 based on its commanding 66-83 win on the road in Israel in Round 1. The visitors certainly restored pride and could have won this game on another day. However, the hosts held firm, driven by Jack Cooley with 20 points and 8 rebounds.
Partizan Belgrade vs. PAOK, 78-82
Despite being home favourite, Partizan slipped to PAOK and was dumped out of the FIBA Basketball Champions League. This was the closest tie of the day as PAOK was trailing by two points heading into this clash. The visitors managed to carve a 14 point lead through thirty minutes and held on in the fourth quarter as Partizan rallied. The hosts were plagued by personal fouls, with 26 overall.