MiZo-Pecs confirmed their status as serious challengers for EuroLeague Women honours with an 85-55 thrashing of Lotos Gdynia in the first leg of their eighth-final play-off.

The Hungarians, who are the only side to have defeated defending champions BC Volgaburmash this term, had no problems sweeping aside a Lotos outfit who scraped through to the play-offs as one of the lowest-ranked teams.

Center Albena Branzova was the game's leading scorer with 21 points, although only two of her Pecs team-mates - Timea Ivkovicne Beres and Vickie Johnson - joined her in reaching double figures.

The reliable Dalma Ivanyi, who is set to be a star performer in March's All-Star game, had her usual solid all-round game as she claimed six points, seven rebounds and six assists.

After a tight first quarter, Pecs pulled away in the second and had established a 12-point lead by half-time, with the score lying at 45-33.

Chelsea Newton, one of Lotos' two American stars, was always in the thick of the action - she finished with 11 points and four rebounds - as was guard Agnieszka Bibrzycka (14 points, four rebounds) but the visitors could only net 22 second-half points.

A 13-point run by Pecs at the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth quarter put the seal on the win for Laszlo Ratgeber's side.