Following its incredible victory over Riesen Ludwigsburg in overtime (94-96), Limoges CSP joins in the top 16 of the Basketball Champions League JDA Dijon, winner of its side of Peristeri (89-82), and Strasbourg which was already qualified.
Bryce Jones planted the fatal stab at the German defense on the right side. The ball went in just as the lights on the sign indicating the end of the match came on. All the CSP players started running after him to hug him. He deserved it the hero of the match who scored 26 points and provided 9 assists and is at the origin of a famous turnaround since the Limougeauds counted up to 22 points behind which they erased to obtain a extension.
For its part, the JDA, which was at home, had a slightly quieter evening even if the Greeks of Peristeri were generous in the final effort (26-31 in the last quarter). With 20 points, 7 rebounds and 26 evaluation, Markis McDuffie was once again decisive.
Meanwhile, Rytas Vilnius and Bahcesehir College also used home advantage in the deciding game to win their respective series. These four sides joined AEK, Darussafaka, Hapoel Atsmon Holon and UCAM Murcia, who swept their respective opponents 2-0 in the Play-Ins and thus clinched their ticket to the Round of 16 a week earlier.
The eight regular season group winners – SIG Strasbourg, Telekom Baskets Bonn, Galatasaray Nef, Surne Bilbao, Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem, BAXI Manresa, Unicaja and Lenovo Tenerife – had secured their place directly in the round of 16.
Dijon and Strasbourg in the same group
The four round of 16 groups are as follows:
GROUP I: SIG Strasbourg (FRA) ; Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (ISR); Hapoël Atsmon Holon (ISR); JDA Bourgogne Dijon (FRA).
GROUP J: Telecom Baskets Bonn (GER) ; BAXI Manres (ESP); Bahcesehir College (TUR); Rites Vilnius (LTU).
GROUP K: Galatasaray Nef (TUR); Unicaja (ESP); AEK (GRE); CSP of Limoges (FRA).
GROUP L: Surne Bilbao (ESP); Lenovo Tenerife (ESP); Darussafaka (TUR); UCAM Murcia (ESP).
The next stage will begin this Tuesday, January 24. The two teams that finish in the first two places in each group will qualify for the quarter-finals.
Photo : Bryce Jones (Limoges, FIBA)
