Sports

Benetton defeated Bizkaia Bilbao Basket 68-72 on Tuesday night in the Basque Exhibition Center breaking the Basques'' winning streak on the Eurocup competition.

Nicevic led the winners with 14 points. Hackett added 12, Rivers and Kus had 11 points each and Hukic scored 10.

For Bizkaia Bilbao Basket, only two players scored in double figures. Banic had 14 points and Warren added 11.

Despite the fact that Warrem netted a three-pointer to open the scoreboard, Benetton soon took the lead of the game and led 15-18 at the end of the first quarter.

The Basques gained control of the game in the second quarter and added a 5-0 run to take the lead, 20-15. They opened a small gap on the scoreboard, 29-22 but Benetton added a 0-9 run to fight back, 29-31. At half-time, Bizkaia Bilbao Basket led 34-33.

The third quarter was close and both teams were tied to 53 points with ten minutes left to play. Benetton seized a 5-point lead, 65-70, that the Basques were unable to erase.

Bizkaia Bilbao Basket, already qualified for the quarterfinals before the game, will fight for the first place of the Last 16 Group K next week against Panellinios. The Basques can afford a 20-point loss against Panellinios and still finish first.