Emerging Great Britain national team star Joel Freeland poured 14 of his game-high 24 points as CB Gran Canaria stormed to a 92-64 triumph at Benetton Olympic in the opening game of their EuroCup Qualifying Round 2 tie.

The 21-year-old Freeland helped his country clinch first place in their EuroBasket 2009 qualifying group this summer and now he's turning on the style for ACB outfit Gran Canaria, scoring nine of his team's first 18 points as they built an early lead and then pulled away for a big win.

The Canary Islanders had a 45-21 stranglehold on the game at the break and the second half was an exercise in damage limitation for the Swiss outfit.

Benetton were just 10 of 19 at the line and 18 of 44 inside the arc.

Gran Canaria drilled 16 of their 17 free throws and made 29 of 55 shots from two-point range.

Bruce Fields poured in 19 points for Benetton Olympic.

The second leg will be on November 11 in Spain.

Joel Freeland, Gran Canaria Guard:

"It was a good game even though we started slow.  We picked up our game as we went along, and we have to improve in the start."

Salvador Maldonado, Cran Canaria Head Coach:  

"We had a problem with our rythm at the beginning but had a much better rythm in the second quarter.  I was very happy with our attitude and fight in the second quarter.  Fribourg is a good team and has good players and they did not give up."

Oliver Vogt, Benetton F/C:

"Tough game, we knew we had to play a very good game to compete with this team.  We know we have to be more consistant in our play."

Damien Leyrolles, Benetton Coach: 

"We are not used to the physical play, and it showed in the second quarter.  I liked the reaction of our team in the second half as they fought back."