Hamilton leads Uxue Bilbao to an 83-93 road win over Budivelnik

Despite a record-breaking scoring performance by the hosts, a point-for-point battle in the Eurocup Semifinals ended with visiting Uxue Bilbao Basket defeating Budivelnik Kiev by 83-93 in the opener of their two-game series on Wednesday in the Ukrainian capital. A 13-30 run over 9 minutes bridging halftime – from 40-35 behind to 53-65 ahead – proved the difference in Bilbao going home with a double-digit lead to protect in Game 2 next Thursday. The visitors needed all the scoring they could get to withstand Budivelnik guard Malcolm Delaney's 38-point explosion, the best scoring performance not only in any semifinal to date, but also in any game later the regular season during the Eurocup's 11-season history. Delaney hit 6 of 9 three-pointers and 14 of 16 free throws – another semifinals record – but it wasn't enough. Bilbao had more and better-distributed scoring, with Lamont Hamilton owning the inside for 26 points on 9-for-14 two-point shooting. Kostas Vasiliadis followed him with 20 points, including 4 triples. Alex Mumbru and Nikos Zisis added 14 points each, with Mumbru dishing 7 of Bilbao's 22 assists, double those of Budivelnik.