Nykesha Sales poured in 17 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as Gambrinus Sika Brno cruised to victory in the opening game of their eighth-finals EuroLeague Women tie at home to USO Mondeville Basket.

Gambrinus are a team loaded with Czech Republic international players and they were the ones who put the side on its way to victory late in the first half.

Jana Vesela and Petra Kulichová hit back-to-back jumpers to trim USO's lead to 27-26 with 3:08 to play in the second quarter.

After American Delisha Milton made one of two from the line to pull the hosts level, Aurélie Bonnan replied for USO for a 29-27 edge.

Eva Vitecková, who is shooting an astonishing 54.1% from three-point range, hit two in succession for a 33-29 half-time Gambrinus lead.

Sales then got in on the act with a pair of baskets sandwiching her two free throws before Kulichova and Milton added buckets for a decisive 44-29 lead with 3:09 to play in the period.

USO got not closer than eight points the rest of the way.