CSU Asesoft Ploiesti remained in the battle for a spot in the elimination rounds following an 80-71 win over visiting Spirou Basket Charleroi on Tuesday in Group C. Darius Hargrove scored 18 to lead five Ploiesti scorers in double figures as the Romanian champs improved to 3-4 and grabbed sole possession of fourth place in the group. Ploiesti hosts co-group leader Hemofarm Stada next week, while Charleroi, which dropped to 2-5, welcomes Galatasaray Café Crown. The game was even throughout the first half, which ended with the hosts ahead 45-43. However back-to-back triples by Arvydas Cepulis threes and another one from Hargrove gave Ploiesti a 58-45 lead, which proved to be enough. The lead would peak at 15 before Andre Ridick helped Charleroi cut the gap to 6, but Ploiesti held on down the stretch to wrap up a crucial win. Reggie Elliot finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side, Rashard Griffith added 15 points and 9 boards, Cepulis scored 13, Tomas Gaidamavicius 10 and Virgil Carutasu posted 12 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. Len Matela 13 led Charleroi with 13 points and 12 rebounds, Adam Hall also scored 13 and Tremell Darden had 12.

The game was even from the start, with Darden scoring the first basket for Antwerp and Elliot answering for Ploiesti. Elliot managed to put the hosts up 13-9, but Michael Jordan’s triple evened the score at 18-18 after 10 minutes. The teams continued to trade baskets throughout the second period until Hall helped Charleroi take a 37-41 advantage. Ploiesti answered right back as Gaidamavicius and Hargrove scored the next 8 points to help the hosts to a 45-43 halftime lead. The hosts came out of the gate with the same intensity with which they finished the second period and back-to-back Cepulis threes and another from Hargrove gave Ploiesti a 58-45 lead. The first points from Wes Wilkinson and Justin Hamilton made it 60-51 heading into the fourth quarter. The lead increased to 15 on a Gaidamavicius basket, but Riddick scored twice in a 9-0 charge that made it 66-60. Elliot added a triple and DeAngelo Alexander scorer twice to keep Ploiesti in control. Hamilton got Charleroi within 7, but free throws by Hargrove sealed the win.