EUROLEAGUE WOMEN

Italy international Laura Macchi led the surprise charge for Beretta-Famila with 19 points

Beretta-Famila Schio travelled to Spain and upset defending EuroLeague Women champions Perfumerias Avenida 67-59 in their opening Round 2 clash.

Italian veteran Laura Macchi had 19 points to pace Schio, who can now reach the Final Eight with a win at home on Friday.

The Salamanca fans never give up but even they were stunned late in the first half, when Schio had a 37-20 lead.

Four Liron Cohen free-throws sandwiched a jump shot by Janel McCarville to push the Beretta-Famila advantage to 17.

Erika De Souza and Dewanna Bonner each made two free-throws at the end of the second quarter for Avenida and the hosts went to half-time staring at a 37-24 deficit.

The scoring run reached six when Marta Fernandez, who had 18 points, buried a jumper at the start of the third to leave Schio in front, 37-36.

De Souza's two free-throws reduced the arrears to 43-36 with 4:11 to go in the third quarter, but Schio maintained a comfortable lead as first McCarville hit a jumper and then recent signing Ivana Jalcova drilled a three-pointer to make it 48-36 in favor of the Italians.

Avenida got to within five points early in the fourth quarter after a basket by Fernandez but Cohen nailed a three-pointer for Schio and the Italians held on for an impressive road triumph.

Lucas Mondelo's team stayed in the game thanks to its free-throw shooting.

Avenida made 23 of 24 free-throws.