VARESE

Will Carius picked the lock on a tight one. The Peristeri guard finished 18 points on 75% shooting (6-of-8 overall, 4-of-6 from three) in 22 minutes, without a turnover, as Peristeri stole a 85–82 win away at Varese in Group D. Carius's efficiency in the corners and off the catch made the difference in a game decided by possession discipline—zero turnovers on the night proved rare currency in a three-point affair. He added 4 steals, proof that his intensity ran both directions; the shooting splits (especially that three-point rate) show why a visitor holding a one-digit margin on the road, late in a balanced group stage, needed exactly this kind of sparing, accurate contribution. Varese had their chances and nearly forced overtime. Carius simply did not waste his.

Colbey Ross poured in 25 points on 7-of-14 shooting and converted all 11 of his free throws, yet Trieste still fell 85–84 to Varese — a one-point defeat that underlined how individual brilliance can coexist with collective shortfall. The guard's 8 assists and 3 steals across 31 minutes kept Trieste competitive throughout, and his 11-for-11 night from the line demonstrated clinical execution in the moments that mattered most. But a 0-for-5 showing from three-point range and just 1 rebound illustrated the ceiling of what one player can achieve when the supporting cast falters. For Varese, the one-point margin spoke to a team that found just enough in a road contest to avoid being overwhelmed by Ross's individual performance.

Dylan Ennis finished with 16 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds in 22 minutes as Ucam Murcia dismantled Varese 85–58 at home in Group D play. The American shot 5 of 8 from the field, including 2 of 4 from three, and went 4 for 4 at the line without turning the ball over more than twice. The margin tells the story: a 27-point victory that put the game beyond reach early. Ennis's efficiency in limited minutes — 62.5% overall, 100% from the stripe — reflected Murcia's command of the match. He moved the ball with purpose, orchestrated pace when needed, and stayed out of foul trouble despite the physical nature of the contest. For Varese, it was a difficult afternoon. Murcia's depth and spacing left the Italian side with few answers, and Ennis's poise in the pick-and-roll game exposed that gap further as the lead widened.

Nate Renfro is the efficiency outlier in this matchup. At 49.8 TIB EFF with 11 points and 2.5 assists per game in recent form, the Varese guard has built a clear separation from Emanuel Cate, who sits at 40.5 across 9.5 PPG and 1 APG for Ucam Murcia. That gap matters in the Champions League — it often decides these mid-tier continental clashes. Cate will need to impose himself early if Murcia is to stay within striking distance. Renfro's decision-making and scoring consistency have been the backbone of Varese's recent run, and Murcia's perimeter defence will face a real test keeping him contained. A battle of guards, but not an even one on the numbers. Tip-off in under three hours. Watch to see whether Cate can tighten that efficiency gap or Renfro's form continues to carry Varese.