EUROLEAGUE WOMEN

Sparta&K's Seimone Augustus posted a double-double with 30 points and 11 rebounds

Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje took a big step towards the EuroLeague Women Final Eight with a 93-79 home triumph over Nadezhda.

In the opening game of the Round 2 series, Seimone Augustus exploded for 30 points while Candice Dupree poured in 21.

Becky Hammon, released by Nadezhda last season, weighed in with 19 as the four-time champions of the EuroLeague Women rolled to victory.

Augustus had 21 of her points in the first half when Sparta&K opened up a 48-34 lead.

The Orenburg team reeled off the last eight points of the first half to trail just 48-42.

Katie Douglas had 12 points at the break for Nadezhda.

In the third quarter, though, Sparta&K put the result beyond doubt.

Augustus began the frame with a lay-up and then added two free-throws before Hammon struck from long range for a 55-42 Sparta&K advantage.

The advantage ballooned to 65-45 after lay-ups by Augustus and Hammon.

The hosts ended up outscoring Nadezhda 29-16 in the quarter and went to the fourth with a 77-58 stranglehold on the contest.

Pokey Chatman's team kept the pressure on in the last 10 minutes and prevailed by 14.

The second game in the best-of-three series will be played on Friday in Orenburg.