EWE Baskets Oldenburg advanced to the second stage of the Euroleague qualifying rounds with a 79-74 win over Cimberio Varese in Vilnius.

Veteran Julius Jenkins netted 18 points, off the bench for Oldenburg as they eliminate Varese into next season’s Eurocup. The Italians though nearly got the better of their German counterparts when  three-pointer from Ebi Ere tied the game for Varese at 70-70.

It was as close though as Varese got. Oldenburg took control when it mattered, as Chris Kramer made key plays to seal Oldenburg’s passage to the next round.

Ere led Varese with 14 points.

Lietuvos Rytas made home court advantage pay off by defeating VEF Riga 80-71 in the second game of the night.

Fresh from his silver medal at Eurobasket, Renaldas Seibutis led the victors with 23 points but a three-pointer from Omar Cook sealed the deal for the Lithuanian side as Riga will play Eurocup basketball next season.

Another Lithuanian international Tomas Delininkaitis led the Latvians with 14 points.

Telenet BC Ostend upset Khimki by deservedly beating them 90-79 in Vilnius, keeping them alive in the race for the final remaining spot in next season’s Euroleague.

 

The result takes Russian giants Khimki into next season’s Eurocup.

 

In what was a closely-fought game in the Lithuanian capital, Ostend raced away in the final period of play by hitting five three-points in their final six attempts to ultimately put the game beyond doubt.

 

Ryan Thompson led the winners with 19 points with Pierre-Antoine Gillet hitting 16 on the back of five triples, all hit in the second half.

 

Paul Davis led all scorers in vain for Khimki with 32 points.

 

Turkish side BK Banvit beat CEZ Nymburk 87-78 in the final game of the day to seal their spot into the next round of qualifying games.

 

After leading 26-24 in the first ten minutes, Banvit pulled clear of their Czech counterparts in the second, leading 52-40 at the half and maintaining their lead from there.

 

Keith Simmons led Banvit with 16 points, supported by Sammy Mejia’s 14, cancelling out Tre Simmons’ game-high 27 for Nymburk who will play Eurocup basketball next season.