Galatasaray Cafe Crown had a strong start in Group A by downing Ukrainian League champion Azovmash 96-82 in Istanbul, Turkey on Tuesday night. Galatasaray registered its first official win of the season after six consecutive losses in the Turkish League. Meanwhile, Azovmash must bounce back right away in its home game against Alba Berlin next week. Rado Rancik paced the winners with a Eurocup career-high 39 points on 14-of-21 two-pointers. He tied for the third-best scoring night in Eurocup history along with Mike Penberthy and Michael Watson and right behind Randy Duck (49) and Bobby Brown (44). Simas Jasaitis added 23 on 5-of-9 three-pointers, Darius Washington had 16 while Mike Wilkinson got 10 for Galatasaray. Erik Daniels led Azovmash with 26 points on 6-of-9 triples. Hasan Rizvic added 18, Yevgeniy Podovrannyy had 15 and Oleksandr Skutyelnik 13 for the guests. Jasaitis and Rancik fueled a 12-1 run that allowed Galatasaray to get a 22-9 run early in the game. An outstanding Rancik - 20 points in the first half - helped the hosts to keep a 49-38 margin at halftime. Rizvic and Daniels took over after the break for a 62-63 Azovmash edge late in the third quarter. Rancik and Jasaitis combined for 12 points in a game-breaking 14-1 run that allowed Galatasaray to seal a well-deserved win.

Jasaitis needed just 12 seconds to down a three-pointer while Rancik also struck from downtown for a 6-2 Galatasaray lead. Daniels and Jasaitis traded triples while Jarutis joined the three-point shootout for a 9-8 Azovmash deficit. Rancik scored inside while Wilkinson and Evren Buker gave the hosts a 15-9 lead. Azovmash could not find answers in offense while free throws by Jasaitis and a fast break dunk by Washington broke the game open, 20-9. A put-back layup by Jasaitis capped a 12-1 Galatasaray run, as Daniels struck from downtown while Skutyelnik followed a triple with a put-back layup for a 22-17 Azovmash deficit. Washington and Rancik kept pacing Galatasaray but another three-pointer by Daniels kept Azovmash as close as 27-22. Rancik shined with consecutive baskets for a 31-22 Galatasaray lead after 10 minutes. Rancik scored again early in the second quarter and soon added free throws to make the hosts keep a 35-25 lead. A three-pointer by Murat Kaya boosted Galatasaray's lead to 39-27. Podovarnnyy hit back-to-back triples but Rancik and Wilkinson kept the hosts way ahead, 43-33. Podovarnnyy strick again from downtown but Galatasaray kept finding easy points in the paint while a fast break layup by Washington fixed the halftime score at 49-38.

Rizvic opened the second half with a jump hook wile Daniels added an eight-meter bomb to bring Azovmash back to life, 49-43. Skutelnik and Buker traded triples but Rizvic scored again to keep the guests as close as 52-48. Washington tried to change things with a layup and Wilkinson sank a mid-range jumper but Daniels and Skutyelnik buried consecutive triples to get Azovmash within 56-54. Rancik and a red hot Rizvic traded layups but another triple by Jarutis made it a one-point game, 60-59. Washington found Rancik for an easy basket but Rizvic - who else? - completed the guests' comeback, 62-63. Washington and Jasaitis made free throws while Rancik banked in a short shot for a 68-63 Galatasaray edge. Daniels sank his sixth three-pointer and a power basket by Rancik kept the hosts ahead, 70-66, after 30 minutes. Consecutive triples by Podorvannyy tied the game again, 73-73, early in the fourth quarter. Rancik stayed on fire while Jasaitis buried back-to-back bombs from downtown in a 14-1 run that broke the game open, 87-74, with under 4 minutes to go. Skutyelnik shined with a put-back basket but Galatasaray kept full control of the game. A three-point play by Rancik sealed his outstanding game with a three-point play and allowed all Galatasaray fans to celebrate a well-deserved win.