EUROCHALLENGE

Julien Mills and Szolnoki Olaj were all smiles at the weekend, while the three other EuroChallenge Final Four participants slumped to defeats

Szolnoki Olaj are the only team to have qualified for the EuroChallenge Final Four that won in its domestic league game at the weekend.

The Hungarians beat Kecskemeti like a drum, 95-71, with Marton Bader's 16 points leading a balanced attack.

Five other players hit double-digits in points and Peter Por's team also dominated the boards, out-rebounding Kecskemeti, 34-22.

"The most important was to bring home the victory," Por said.

Kecskemeti coach Stojan Ivkovic tipped his hat to Por's team.

"Szolnoki fully deservedly the win," he said.

Szolnoki (19-4), who won a thrilling Game 3 in the EuroChallenge Quarter-Finals last week at BK Ventspils, trail Falco-Zsova KC-Szombathely (21-3) in the standings, level with Albacomp (also 19-4).

Besiktas Milangaz, Elan Chalon and Triumph Lyubertsy all slumped to defeats.

Besiktas, playing without injured point guard Carlos Arroyo, lost 64-61 at home to Banvit.

While Great Britain international Pops Mensah-Bonsu had 11 rebounds in a losing effort, Banvit won the rebounding battle, 38-33.

The loss has dropped Besiktas in the Beko Basketbol Ligi standings to fourth place - one spot below Banvit.

Chorale Roanne, edged out in two EuroChallenge Quarter-Final games by Chalon, gained a measure of revenge with an 83-78 win in the French Pro A.

Dylan Page erupted for a game-high 37 points for Roanne.

Malcolm Delaney, one of Chalon's top players, said: "The key was the defense.

"Giving up 83 points is way too much and we don't have a habit of doing that.

"Dylan Page got far too many easy shots early in the game and when a shooter gets confidence, everything comes together and he made even tougher shots."

In Russia, BC Khimki had too much for Triumph Lyubertsy and won 91-80.

Jerry Jefferson finished with 19 points in defeat for Triumph.

The captain of Triumph, Artem Kuzyakin, said the team didn't have enough fuel in the tank after spending a lot of emotion in the EuroChallenge Quarter-Final Game 3 decider Fuenlabrada in Spain.

"Unfortunately, we weren't able to please our travelling fans with a victory today," he said.

"I think that our game has been affected by the fatigue after the match in Spain, but I do not want excuses.

"Against such a strong team as Khimki, you must play at your best with a competent, well-balanced defense and not be in too much of a rush offensively."