DOMESTIC LEAGUES

Point guard Obie Trotter led Szolnoki Olaj in scoring in the first game of the Hungarian play-off finals

SZOLNOKI TAKE OPENER

The EuroChallenge Final Four hosts Szolnoki Olaj have taken a 1-0 lead in their Hungarian play-off finals showdown with Falco-Szova KC-Szombathely.

Peter Por's team hit the road in Game 1 and prevailed, 78-65.

Szolnoki blew open a close contest in the fourth quarter when they out-scored their opponents, 20-9.

"The next battle is the most important because it doesn't matter whether it's a 1-0 or 2-0 lead - we will come back for Game 3 in Szombathely," Por said.

Obie Trotter finished with 22 points and Akos Horvath had 18 for Szolnoki.

BESIKTAS LEAD GALA

EuroChallenge champions Besiktas Milangaz beat Galatasaray Medical Park on Sunday, 74-65, to take a 2-1 lead in the BEKO Basketbol Ligi play-off semi-finals.

David Hawkins led Besiktas for the second game in a row, scoring 21 points.

Besiktas, dominating the boards 38-29, also got 16 points apiece from Carlos Arroyo and Ersin Dagli while EuroChallenge Final Four MVP Pops Mensah-Bonsu had eight points and eight boards.

Besiktas have already had a terrific season because not only did they capture the EuroChallenge trophy, the Istanbul outfit also won the Turkish Cup.