MALAGA (Spain) - U-BT Cluj Napoca continue to prove that they are the real deal in their debut season in the Basketball Champions League, as they have opened the Round of 16 Group K with a 79-73 road win over Unicaja.

Unicaja, who were missing forward Tim Abromaitis and point guard Alberto Diaz tonight, suffered their first home loss in the BCL after winning the previous three by an average margin of 23 points.

Turning point: Unicaja grabbed a 41-39 lead for nine seconds in the second quarter before Cluj Napoca regained the lead and held it for the rest of the game, extending their lead to as many as 13 points in the third quarter.

Unicaja were down four points with about a little over minute left, until Stefan Bircevic hit a dagger three-pointer to extend Cluj Napoca's lead to 79-72.

Game hero: Elijah Stewart had his best game of the season for Cluj Napoca, as he recorded 26 points (tied for the most by a player off the bench in 2021-22), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.

He shot 8-of-15 from the field and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free-throw line.

Elijah Stewart dunks the ball over Unicaja's Jaime Fernandez

Stats don't lie: Cluj Napoca doubled up Unicaja in points in the paint, outscoring them 40-20.

Cluj also outrebounded Unicaja 39-28 overall and 16-11 on the offensive glass.

Dustin Hogue grabbed 7 of those offensive rebounds.

Bottom line: Axel Bouteille finished with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals for Unicaja.

Michael Eric also posted a 3x5 stat line (5 points, 7 rebounds, 5 blocks) with three of his blocks coming in the first quarter alone, but he left the game with a left knee injury.

Cluj begin Round of 16 Group K play 1-0 and the Romanian club will travel to face the winner of the last Play-In series between Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem and Prometey next on Tuesday February 1.

Unicaja on the other hand, begin 0-1 in the group and the Spanish club will host Filou Oostende next on Wednesday February 2.

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