SÖDERTÄLJE (Basketball Champions League) – Kataja Basket fell 66-59 to Södertälje Kings in the second leg of their Qualification Round 2 tie but will none the less compete in the Regular Season of the Basketball Champions League inaugural edition, courtesy of their 39-point triumph in the first leg in Finland.

The Finnish led by 10 points midway through the first quarter and looked poised to repeat their Tuesday success but the Swedish champions, eager to offer their home fans a win, tightened the screws on defence and tied the scores in the second stanza.

Södertälje claimed a nine-point lead in the third quarter but Kataja came back in the final frame and tied the scores at 59-all with 1:34 left on the clock. Tanel Kurbas however replied immediately from the free-throw line and instigated a 7-0 mini-run for the Kings which Cameron Rundles capped off with a triple almost at the buzzer.

Rundles and Tylor Ongwae finished with 17 points apiece for Södertälje, that will continue their European campaign in the FIBA Europe Cup. Byron Wesley had 19 points and seven rebounds for Kataja, who will compete in Group B of the Basketball Champions League.