Spartak Moscow Region delivered a second-quarter knockout punch against Lotos Gdynia in the opening game of their EuroLeague Women Eighth-Finals tie.

The three-time defending champions, who trailed 10-0 at the start of the game but replied with an 11-0 run, ended up winning 98-49.

Janel Mc Carville was the top scorer in a once again balanced Spartak offense

Janel McCarville scored a game-high 22 points and Sylvia Fowles had 21.

Spartak's big early run gave them their first lead with 4:00 to go in the first quarter.

Erin Phillips answered with a jumper to give Gdynia their last lead at 12-11 because shortly after, Fowles powered her way up for a lay-up to start a 6-0 scoring spurt for the home side.

Spartak took a 19-14 lead by the end of the opening quarter and went to half-time in command at 43-26.

At the interval, Fowles had 14 points and McCarville 10.

The Russian giants pulled away in the second half for a 49-point triumph.

Diana Taurasi went from scorer to distributor for Spartak. She had a game-high 10 assists to go with her seven points.

Game 2 is on Friday in Gdynia.

Spartak Moscow Region - Vidnoje head coach Pokey Chatman:
After a long layover from the Russian Cup I was happy with our performance. We played good defense and we were able to get our transition game going

Spartak power forward Janel McCarville:
We did a good job of executing our half court offence which resulted in me getting some good shots which I was able to know down. Now we have to play again well in Gdynia

Lotos Gdynia head coach Jacek Winnicki:
Congratulations to Spartak they were a better team and they fully deserved to win. Now we are waiting for them in Gdynia....