Laia Palau and Bourges broke open a close game at home in the third quarter and claimed a 77-53 triumph over UMMC Ekaterinburg.

Palau, the exciting Spanish national team star, led the way for the French giants with 19 points.

Bourges led 37-35 at half-time, but then erupted for 26 points in the third quarter and held their opponents from Russia to just 12 to seize control.

		Elodie Godin

UMMC's Australian international center Suzie Batkovic scored to trim the French team's lead to 44-41, but Bourges then caught fire and reeled off 14 straight points.

Cathy Melain's jump shot started the surge, with Palau then adding a lay-up and jumper for a 50-41 lead.

Both sides then went nearly two minutes without scoring before Anete Jekabsone continued the run for the home team with a jump shot.

By the time Elodie Godin scored her fourth point in the spurt, Bourges had a 58-41 lead with 2:02 remaining in the third quarter.

The advantage ballooned to 24 at the end as Bourges chalked up another big triumph - their third in as many tries in Group B.UMMC suffered defeat for the first time.

Palau was nine of 13 from the field, including one of three from the arc, while also pulling down nine rebounds.

Godin was excellent, too, with 16 points and 11 boards.