Union Olimpija Ljubljana improved to 2-1 in Group C by downing previously undefeated Valencia Basket 67-64 in the Slovenian capital on Wednesday. Both teams join Asvel Villeurbanne and Ratiopharm in a four-way tie for first place, all with a 2-1 record. Alex Stepheson paced the winners with 18 points on 8-of-10 two-point shots and 11 rebounds. Deividas Gailius added 14 for Olimpija. Romain Sato and Oliver Lafayette led Valencia with 13 points apiece. Pablo Aguilar had 11 while Serhiy Lishchuk added 10 for the guests, which led 19-21 early in the second quarter. An outstanding Stephson allowed Olimpija to take the lead, 30-28, at halftime. A 14-0 run allowed Olimpija to get a 49-35 margin late in the third quarter and a layup by Alen Omic gave the hosts their biggest lead, 57-40. Lafayette led a 0-15 Valencia run but Stepheson, Dragisa Drobnjak and Jakov Vladovic allowed Olimpija to grab a very important win.

Sam Van Rossom and Sato got Valencia going with consecutive baskets and a three-pointer by Aguilar soon gave the guests a 3-7 lead. Gailius and Nebojsa Joksimovic soon tied the game, 7-7. Justin Doellman hit a turnaround jumper and Bojan Dubljevic struck from downtown but Cedric Jackson and a put-back basket by Drobnjak made Olimpija tie the game, 12-12. Free throws by Van Rossom and a dunk by Gailius fixed the score at 14-14 after 10 minutes. A layup by Gailius and a three-point play by Vladovic gave Olimpija a 19-14 lead. Van Rossom and Sato combined for all points in a 0-7 run for a 19-21 Valencia lead. Stepheson stepped up for Olimpija and a three-pointer by Joksimovic ignited the crowd at 28-23. Sato singlehandedly kept Valencia within 30-28 at halftime. Stepheson kept pacing Olimpija after the break, keeping his team ahead, 35-33. Olimpija improved its intensity on defense, as three-pointers by Salin and Drobnjak highlighted a 14-0 run which boosted the hosts' lead to 49-35. Rafa Martinez answered from downtown but Stephenson and a wild corner triple by Jackson kept Olimpija way ahead, 53-40, after 30 minutes. Valencia kept struggling to score and a no-look assist by Vladovic allowed Omic get a 57-40 margin. Lafayette struck twice from downtown and added free throws to bring Valencia back to life. A three-pointer by Aguiler capped a 0-15 run and got the guests as close as 57-55. Stepheson and Drobnjak scored down low and a triple by Vladovic sealed the outcome, 64-57, in the next-to-last minute. Lafayette brought Olimpija within 65-62 with 13 seconds left but Gailius made free throws to make all Olimpija fans celebrate a great win.