Proteas EKA AEL delivered a lesson on Tuesday in the EuroCup.

Never count them out, even when they are facing a double-digit deficit.

The Cypriot club trailed 48-33 at half-time against Spartak St Petersburg but hit back to win 72-71 and storm into the Quarter Final Round as the Group C winners.

The success meant that both Proteas and Zagreb finished with 4-2 records, but Proteas claimed top spot on a tie-breaker.

Whatever was said in the locker room at half-time worked for Proteas, who came out all guns blazing and outscored their visitors 24-9 in the third quarter.

That left the contest all square heading into the final period and the decisive spurt came with the game knotted at 59-59 eight minutes from the end.

Bruno Sundov caught a pass from guard Olivier Ilunga and buried a jump shot. Fouled on the play, he made the free throw for a 62-59 advantage.

Alexandros Liatsos followed with a three-pointer and Proteas had the lead for the remainder of the contest.

The setback caps a disappointing Eurocup for Spartak, whose coach Igors Miglinieks had started the season at the helm of Proteas before parting with them.

Milutin Aleksic led Proteas with 22 points.