BCL Matchday 3: Double Spanish Loss as Peristeri and ALBA Berlin Take Group Leads

It was a tough week for Spanish representatives in the Basketball Champions League. UCAM Murcia and Surne Bilbao arrived undefeated and leading their groups, but both fell to unbeaten rivals. Peristeri and ALBA Berlin now lead Groups D and G outright, while Groups A and F tightened up. Unicaja and Asisa Joventut, whose groups didn't play this week, remain 2-0.

UCAM Murcia 72-80 Peristeri

The undefeated matchup in Group D went to the Greek team. The first half was tightly contested (33-34), but Ty Nichols scored 12 points in six minutes after halftime and Peristeri put together a 17-26 third quarter that gave them a 13-point lead. Sito Alonso's team fought back and got within one point with three minutes remaining (66-67), but couldn't complete the comeback. Souley Boum led UCAM with 17 points. Nichols and Jalen Finch both surpassed 20 for Peristeri.

ALBA Berlin 103-100 Surne Bilbao

The other undefeated matchup in Group G was decided on the final possession. Surne Bilbao dominated the first half (43-48) and led by 13 after halftime, but a 26-11 run by ALBA turned the game around. Jaume Ponsarnau's team rallied nine points in the fourth quarter and were ahead with less than a minute to play (97-98), but a three-pointer by Justin Bean with 9.8 seconds left denied them the victory. Brandon Angel scored 24 points and Jordan Ford added 21.

Read also:

• Bean's three-pointer downs Surne Bilbao in Berlin (103-100)
• UCAM Murcia loses undefeated status to Peristeri (72-80)
• UCAM Murcia and Bilbao defend their 2-0 records in the BCL

Rytas Vilnius 97-81 Trabzonspor

Rytas ended Trabzonspor's perfect record thanks to a dominant second quarter (21-7) that gave them a 17-point halftime lead (46-29). The Lithuanian team never relinquished control, with six players scoring in double figures led by Artūras Gudaitis (21) and Cassius Winston (18). The bad news was an injury to Ignas Urbonas, who hurt his shoulder late in the first quarter and didn't return. Troy Caupain scored 18 for the Turkish side.

Sabah 87-80 Nanterre

Sabah made their competition debut with a victory in Baku over Nanterre, who came in fresh off a blowout win over Rytas in Matchday 2. The result leaves Group A wide open, with Trabzonspor and Rytas at 2-1 and Nanterre and Sabah at 1-2.

Bamberg 61-95 Varese

Varese recorded their first victory with a dominant performance in Germany, winning by 34 at Bamberg. The Italian team moves to 1-2 in Group D, while Bamberg, who had already lost to Peristeri and UCAM Murcia, remains winless.

Igokea 77-72 Slavia Praga

In a matchup of winless teams in Group G, Igokea defeated Slavia Praga in Laktaši (77-72) and moves into third place. Slavia, who faced Surne Bilbao in Matchday 2, remains at 0-3.

Cholet 65-69 Spartak Subotica

The upset of the matchday came in La Meilleraie. Spartak Subotica defeated undefeated Cholet in a low-scoring affair. After a halftime tie (29-29), the Serbian team won the third quarter 20-27 and withstood the home team's comeback attempt. Alen Omić led Spartak with 15 points and 7 rebounds, while Langston Kidd scored 15 for Cholet.

RASTA Vechta 81-88 Hapoel Holon

Hapoel Holon won in Germany and joins a three-way tie atop Group F with Cholet and Spartak, all at 2-1. Vechta remains winless.