Strasbourg kept their Eurocup dreams alive after edging Alba Berlin 78-75 in Group N.

The French side improve to 2-3 in the group and need to win on the final day next week to qualify for the strangely named eighthfinals. Alba drop their first game of the Last 32 but are already through at 4-1.

Louis Campbell led Strasbourg with 13 points, aptly supported by Bootsy Thornton and Antoine Diot, who both got 11. Euroleague veteran David Andersen made his debut for the hosts and added 3 points, off the bench.

“I was surprised with our game during the first quarter,” Strasbourg coach Vincent Collet said. “Contrary to what it appeared in the beginning, this game was not an offensive game. Except from our second quarter, we showed solidarity on both sides of the court.

“We came back into the game thanks to five bench players. Tim [Abromatis] was very important on offence and Jeremy [Leloup] was even more on defense. The end of the game was very tough, but our passing game helped us to win this game. “

It was their defence and effectiveness in transition that got Strasbourg off to a quick start. They led 15-1 in the first few minutes as Alba coach Sasa Obradovic was forced to use two timeouts in quick succession.

The Germans rallied and in the third were up by as many as 10 points, but Strasbourg fought back and with the help of their bench players, kept themselves alive in the competition.

Reggie Redding had a game-high 18 points for Alba.

Strasbourg’s final game will be in the Ukraine against Khimik Yuzhne. Berlin face Radnicki.

In Group I, Cantu also stayed alive in the Eurocup following a convincing 89-74 win over Nanterre in Italy to go to 2-3.

With neither team able to pull away in the first three quarters, the hosts raced away with a 14-1 early in the fourth to lead 74-61 as they handed Nanterre their second straight loss.

Michael Jenkins was in top form with 29 points and six three-pointers for 29 points.

“This game was very important for us: we all were very intense and concrete, and gained a great success that gives us more confidence, in order to keep doing well in all the matches that are in front of us,” he said.

Cantu now have the vital head-to-head on Nanterre due to their 88-84 overtime win earlier in the group.

Johan Passave scored 15 points to pace Nanterre.