MERSIN (EuroLeague Women/EuroCup Women) – Mersin have taken respite from their miserable rookie EuroLeague Women campaign to log a stunning Turkish league victory against the previously perfect Fenerbahce.

PETRONYTE PUTS FENERBAHCE TO THE SWORD

It was the towering Lithuanian ace Gintare Petronyte who did the damage as she completed a near double-double of 25 points and 9 rebounds for Mersin in a morale-boosting and thrilling 79-76 success against the leaders.

There was also a win for Hatay BSB who, fresh off their first ever triumph in EuroLeague Women last week, took a 65-58 victory at Adana Aski as Belarusian winger Katsiaryna Snystina scored 18 points.

Both Yvonne Anderson and Moriah Jefferson also landed 18 points apiece, as Galatasaray completed an 88-76 win at Samsun, while there was also a positive result for Bellona Agu who benefitted from a combined 38 points from Ann Wauters and Chelsea Gray as they eased out the visiting Osmaniye 68-61.

However, there was disappointment for Yakin Dogu Universitesi, who slipped to successive defeats after sinking 89-86 at home to Botas.

BIG TWO TUMBLE IN FRANCE

The French title race is heating up after leaders Tango Bourges Basket and BLMA both suffered defeats over the weekend.

It's been a roller-coaster season so far for Basket Landes who have had to cope with some big injury issues and exiting EuroCup Women after what had been a lightning start to the campaign.

They are back on an upward curve and now just one win behind Bourges, after they beat the table-toppers 66-59. Nevena Jovanovic dropped 17 points and is rapidly becoming a big supporters' favourite in the wake of her recent move. Her backcourt partner Celine Dumerc handed out 9 assists against her ex-employers.

After BLMA were unexpectedly stung 61-54 on the road at Hainaut, they are now tied in second place, not only with Landes, but also Flammes Carolo Basket who recorded an 80-68 win against UFAB-49 Angers as Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis amassed 27 points.

Alina Iagupova helped ESBVA-LM make up some of their lost ground by netting 25 points in an 87-79 win at Lyon, while Cavigal Nice continued their nice form by storming past Nantes Reze 71-49, as Victoria Macaulay plundered 20 points and 10 rebounds.

VENEZIA LOSE VALUABLE GROUND IN TITLE RACE

They may have stamped their ticket for the next phase of EuroCup Women, but Umana Reyer Venezia have lost their share of a three-way tie at the top of the Italian League. Ashley Walker garnered 17 points but it wasn’t enough to prevent an 80-66 reverse at Saces Dike Napoli.

Passalacqua Ragusa are also in the next stage of EuroCup Women and they followed up their historic accomplishment with a 57-49 triumph at Viagarano. Astou Ndour completed a double-double of 11 points and 12 boards.

Beretta Famila Schio also got back to winning ways after their first loss recently. They climbed past Broni 96-51, with six players reaching double-digits, including Georgia Sottana who scored 16 points.

TORRENS CATCHES FIRE IN RUSSIA

Spanish star Alba Torrens poured in a mesmerising 30 points for leaders UMMC Ekaterinburg as they completed a comfortable 75-49 home win against Kazanochka.

Nadezhda had to play impressive defence on their travels to eventually overcome Enisey Krasnoyarsk 62-55, as young Maiga Zhosselina caught the eye with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Dynamo Kursk locked out Spartak Noginsk 87-30, while MBA Moscow enjoyed a 77-69 win against Chevakata after Anna Leshkovtseva rattled off 21 points.

On the outskirts of the Russian capital, Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje went down 79-59 to Dynamo Moscow as their former center Ksenia Tikhonenko returned to haunt them with 19 points.

ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE

Maros Kovacik may not have been able to inspire a first EuroLeague Women success of the season for CCC Polkowice, but has now overseen consecutive BLK wins. His team beat MKK Siedlce 88-59 as Mariona Ortiz registered 12 points and 8 assists. Leaders Wisla Can-Pack had to work hard to win 76-70 at Artego Bydgoszcz as Ewelina Kobryn logged a classy 18 points and 13 rebounds.

There was a second Liga Femenina defeat in three games for Spar Citylift Girona as they were outlasted 68-64 at Cadi Le Seu. Leaders Perfumerias Avenida waltzed past Bembibre 69-46 as Angela Salvadores lit it up with a six-of-seven floor shooting effort. Meanwhile, history was made as rookies Lacturale Araski booked a first-ever place in the Copa De la Reina.

FIBA