A complete thriller in Kazan, Russia, was solved in favor host Unics Kazan by 72-71 over Banvit Bandirma on Wednesday. Unics controlled most of the game, but Chuck David' free throws and late heroics by Earl Rowland had made it 69-71 for the guests. With one second to go, and after a timeout, Nikos Zisis fed Andrew Goudelock for a last three that went in and gave the win to the hosts. Now, Unics stands first in Group G with a 2-0 record whil Banvit drops to 1-1. Tywain McKee led the winners with 15 points, Zisis added 14 and Goudelock and Ian Vougioukas posted 10 apiece. For Banvit, Davis and Sammy Mejia led the way with 18 points each, Ermal Kuqo added 12 and Rowland had 11.

In the first period, Ian Vougioukas and Sammy Mejia emerged as scoring leaders for hosts and guests, respectively even though both sides were struggling from the arc. Andrew Goudelock emerged in the last two minutes of the period and lifted Unics fast to a 24-15 lead after 10 minutes and a 8-2 run. The lead reached double digits, 30-19 with Nikos Zisis' three in minute 24, but Banvit wouldn't let go. With big man Ermal Kuqo on court, the guests pulled within 30-27 but Unics reacted soon enough. However, in the last plays of the first half, Kuqo and Chuck Davis combined for 9 points to make it 38-34 at the break. A 2-11 rnu started the second half and put Banvit in command, 40-45 after Mejia's three. Vougioukas was still in command in the offensive side for Unics, which had a 7-0 burst in the last minutes of the third period to make it 57-52 after 30 minutes. A layup by Mejia made it 66-62 entering the final three and a half minutes. Chuck Davis' trips to the line - 5 of 6 - kept Banvit alive in the final plays, and Earl Rowland lifted a layup for a 69-69 tie with 45 seconds to go. With 21 seconds to go, Zisis missed a three for the hosts and Rowland ran the floor for a clean basket that made it 69-71 for Banvit. With one second to go, Unics called for a timeout.