Surne Bilbao Basket became the leader of its group in the second phase of the FIBA Europe Cup after defeating Porto 72-75, after overcoming a 15-point deficit after the break with just over a minute left before the break.

Adam Smith (18 points and 4 rebounds) and Sacha Killeya-Jones (14 and 10) were the top scorers for the men in black at the Dragao Arena, although the contribution of Alex Renfroe (11 points and 8 assists).

The American point guard held his team in a bad first half for Jaume Ponsarnau’s team against an opponent with a very short rotation, but tremendously successful outside shooting in the first twenty minutes in which they stood out. Charlon Kloof (22 points), Anthony Barber and Aaron Harrison, both with 13 points.

In the final quarter, Surne Bilbao stretched the lead to +11 (60-71) which they managed with certain difficulties in the final stretch, although with enough authority to secure a victory that could be key to achieving a ticket to the quarterfinals.

Data sheet:

72 – Porto (23+20+12+17): Harrison (11), Kloof (22), Queiroz (8), Melvin (13), Omlid (4) -starting quintet- Barber (13), Guerreiro (-) , Nuno Camacho (1) and Gomes (-).

75 – Surne Bilbao Basket (17+16+27+15): Renfroe (11), Smith (18), Rabaseda (9), Andersson (6), Killeya-Jones (14) -starting quintet- De Ridder (4) , Pantzar (6), Tsalmpouris (-), Kullamae (7), Rigo (-) and Reyes (-).

Partials: 23-17, 43-33 (rest), 55-60 and 72-75 (final).

Referees: Josep Jurcevic (Croatia), Blaz Zupancic (Slovenia) and Alexandre Maret (France).

Source: Eitb

Kingston

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