A buzzer-beating three-pointer from Andrew Goudelock gave Unics Kazan a thrilling 72-71 home win over BK Banvit in Group G.
Trailing for the majority of the game, the Turkish side, who had led in doses before the fourth period found themselves ahead in the dying moments through the heroics of Earl Rowland.
Leading 71-69, Kazan had one last shot and Goudelock made sure of the win for the Russians.
“I had such a feeling that we would win even though it came down to the last second,” Kazan coach Andrea Trinchieri said. “This was exactly what I told my players before the game, so my feelings proved to be true. We played against a very strong opponent. We could have lost this game, it was pretty tough. The game showed, that in basketball, the last second of the match can decide the winner.”
Tywain McGee led the victors with 15 points. Chuck Davis and Sammy Mejia had game-high numbers of 18 for Banvit.
In Group F there was an 80-73 win for Buducnost over TED Ankara in Podgorica.
It was a comfortable win over the Montenegrin side, despite the close scoreline. The hosts gradually pulled away as the game progressed but it wasn’t until the final four minutes of the fourth when Ankara fatigued, allowing Buducnost to pull away for good.
Suad Sehovic led Buducnost with 21 points. Vladimir Golubovic had a game-high 25 for Ankara.
EWE Oldenburg scored a surprise 82-71 win on the road over Elan Chalon in Group B.
A close game throughout, the visitors pulled clear in the fourth, racing to a 14-5 run, which turned out to be the game-changing moment.
“We are very happy to win away from home,” admitted Oldenburg coach Sebastian Machowski. “From the beginning of the game we played a good match, but the difference comes from the defence of Chris Kramer on A.J. Slaughter, and the incredible shots by Rickey Paulding.”
Paulding led the Germans with 24 points, cancelling out Jon Brockman’s 20 point effort for the French side.
Virtus Rome won away from home as well as they beat a stubborn Mons side 88-76 in Group D.
A third quarter spurt for the away side gave them the confidence to go on for the win, after they had trailed for most of the first half.
Jordan Taylor led all scorers for Rome with 22 points. Demontez Stitt had 16 for the hosts.
