Goran Nikolic was the hero for Estudiantes as the Spanish side edged out battling CSU Asesoft Ploiesti in a high-scoring EuroCup Group A clash on Tuesday evening.

Estu looked to have the game under control as they led by as many as 10 points in the opening half.

But hosts Asesoft - last season's Romanian league and cup winners - fought back superbly and managed to level the scores up at 80-80 at the start of the final quarter on the back of Reggie Elliot`s jump shot.

At that point, Asesoft looked to have the momentum, but Nikolic turned the game back in his side`s favour with back-to-back scores to spark a 7-0 run that set Estu on their way to a 97-89 victory.

Nikolic was a shining light for Estu throughout the game and he finished with team-highs in both points (24) and rebounds (10).

He had fine support though from team-mate Will McDonald, who continued his fine run of form with 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

The American scored 27 points and hauled down 17 rebounds in Estu's league win over Bruesa GBC at the weekend, a performance that earned McDonald the ACB`s player of the week award.

Good as though Nikolic and McDonald were on Tuesday though, individual honours went to Asesoft guard Sasa Ocokoljic, who was the main reason his side stayed within touching distance of Estu.

Ocokoljic poured in a game-high 32 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out six assists. Elliot (19 points) and Darius Hargrove (18) were the only other players to score in double figures for the Romanians.