Eight games featuring 16 of Europe’s best opened up the EuroLeague Eighth-Finals on Tuesday. Best-of-three matchups began early in the day in Russia with Kelly Miller and powerhouse Spartak Moscow doubling-up Polish side Lotos Gdynia 98-49, and finished with Rebekkah Brunson-led Cras Basket Taranto narrowly missing its upset bid of Fenerbahce, falling 83-89 in Turkey.

Spartak Moscow (Kelly Miller) 98, Lotos Gdynia (Roneeka Hodges) 48

Three-time EuroLeague champion Spartak Moscow handed Polish side Lotos Gdynia a good ‘ole fashion drubbing on Tuesday in Vidnoje, Russia, winning handily 98-49. The Russians overcame a slow start in the first period to open up a halftime lead of 17 points, 43-26. It was more of the same in the second, as Spartak opened up its lead behind the play of Janel McCarville and Sylvia Fowles. McCarville scored a game-high 22 points, while Fowles added 21 points and 10 rebounds. Spartak’s win was its third over Lotos this season. Game 2 is on Friday in Poland.

Ros Casares (Anna Montanana) 81, USK Prague (Charde Houston, Lindsay Whalen) 70

Valencia-based Ros Casares hosted red-hot USK Prague on Tuesday in Game 1 of its best-of-three series. Ros, who finished 8-2 in Qualifying Round play, jumped out early behind the play of WNBA stars Erika De Souza and DeLisha Milton Jones. The duo combined for 21 of Ros’ 52 first-half points, as the Spanish side took a 52-31 lead into the break. The Czechs battled back behind the play of Lynx stars Charde Houston and Lindsay Whalen. A Houston three-point play reduced the deficit to 71-62 late in the fourth, but Ros hung on from there, winning by the final score of 81-70. Houston ended up with 16 points and 4 rebounds, while Whalen added 13 points and 6 rebounds of her own. Anna Montanana tallied 9 points and 5 rebounds for Ros. The two sides will meet in Prague on Friday in Game 2.

Fenerbahce 89, Cras Basket Taranto (Rebekkah Brunson) 83

Turkish power Fenerbahce entered Tuesday’s contest with Cras Basket Taranto as the decided favorite, but had to overcome a monster game from Lynx post Rebekkah Brunson to fend off the pesky Italian side. Taranto found itself down 38-36 at half, and by 10 on two separate occasions in the third frame, before it mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback. Brunson and company edged ahead 69-68 early in the fourth on a Brunson tip-in with just over eight minutes to play in the opening contest. Fenerbahce answered with a 12-2 run to take command at 80-71. The visitors drew within four at 80-76, but Penny Taylor proved to be too much for the Italian side. Taylor dominated the game, scoring 28 points while hauling in 7 rebounds and dishing out 6 assists. In the loss, Brunson had 25 points and 8 rebounds for Taranto. Game 2 is set for Friday in Taranto.

Other Matchups:

Wisla Can-Pack 80, MiZo Pecs 2010 53

UMMC Ekaterinburg 79, Galatasaray 55

Rivas Ecopolis 83, Frisco Sika Brno 88

Halcon Avenida 72, Bourges Basket 53

Beretta-Famila 67, Good Angels Kosice 70