UNICS Kazan put one foot in the EuroCup Regular Season with an 88-62 opening leg triumph over Hapoel Jerusalem in the second qualfiying round.

Veteran guard Terrell Lyday led a balanced UNICS attack with 17 points and four assists.

Four other Kazan players hit double figures in points, including Belarus international Vladimir Veremeenko who had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

UNICS claimed control from the off, reeling off the game's first nine points and taking a 22-12 lead by the end of the opening quarter.

The Russian outfit was on top 43-31 at half-time and went in front by as many as 15 in the third quarter but weren't able to put Hapoel Jerusalem away until the fourth.

The Israeli team managed to close the gap to 10 points in the fourth quarter, but the game got away from them over the last 3:29 as UNICS outscored the visitors 14-6 to take a commanding 22-point lead into the second leg.

Among the other outstanding performers for UNICS on Tuesday was French international Tariq Kirksay, who had 15 points and seven rebounds.

Hapoel hurt their cause at the free throw line, making just 19 of 31 (61.3%) compared to UNICS' 13-of-16 (81.3%) effort.

UNICS also forced Hapoel to commit 16 turnovers compared to just nine of their own.

Timothy Bowers had 18 points and five rebounds for Hapoel.

A.Petrovich, UNICS (Head Coach):

"It was difficult to play after the game we have lost in the Russian Superleage."

"I am glad we won the game. Defense was good. Now we are going to prepare for the game in Israel."

E.Voronov, UNICS (Player):

"22 points difference is very good, but I am sure in Jerusalem it will be more difficult to play. Hapoel has very strong players and coach staff."

G.Goodes, Hapoel Jerusalem (Head Coach):

"We know UNICS as a very strong team. UNICS deserves to play in the Euroleague."

"I hope we will win in Israel. Our fans will help us to win."

Yuval Naimy - Hapoel Jerusalem (Player):

"Hapoel is the team, which never gives up. We are going to play better in Jerusalem, than today. We all expect to succeed at home."