VENEZIA-MESTRE (Basketball Champions League) - Umana Reyer Venezia extended their home winning streak to eight games with a 70-61 win over BC Ventspils to advance to the Round of 16 on Wednesday evening.

It was anything but comfortable however, advancing by just two points on aggregate, 137-135, and watching as Jakovics' shot rimmed out as time expired, setting up an all-Italian Round of 16 match-up with Sidigas Avellino.

Michael Bramos had a 17 point, 11 rebound double double to lead the way for Venezia, including two huge rebounds down the stretch.

Melvin Ejim had 18 for Venezia, with Tyrus McGee also in double digits with 16.

Umana Reyer Head Coach Walter De Raffaele was elated with the monumental win:

"We are really happy and satisfied to celebrate this qualification to the Round of 16, it's a historic qualification for our club and we are happy to share it with our fans. 

"I want to thank my players, they played in a really, really, difficult conditions. We played with a little bit of tension, because it was a tough game but i think we won the game on defence, by only allowing Ventspils 60 points."

Power forward Thomas Ress added:

"We're very happy about the qualification, it has not been a very good period for us, losing five games in a row. So this is a big breath of oxygen for us, of confidence, winning after a losing streak is always difficult, and we're happy so now we will concentrate again on the championship then the Top 16."

Meanwhile, a disappointed Willie Deane, who led Ventspils with 18 points, 4 rebound and 4 assists was not surprised with the result based on his team's performance.


"We shot 50% from the free throw line, any time you turn the ball over and you don't make your free throws, you don't come out on top," he said.