EuroLeague Women: Week 11
It's week eleven in the EuroLeague Women regular season, but despite the group stage nearing its end, there's still no indication what's to come when the final standings are decided. Here's a full recap of all this week's action:
With 44 points in the paint and more than half their score coming from close-range shots, Yakin Dogu did what they do best and were in complete control against Avenida, who nonetheless put in a good showing, but where ultimately outclassed. Jantel Lavender had a double double, 15 points and 10 rebounds and both Sandrine Gruda and Kayla McBride had 19 points for Yakin Dogu as they get back to winning ways and stay top of Group B. Meanwhile, superb close-range play and shooting which saw them make more than half of all shot attempts saw Sopron lead Villeneuve d'Ascq throughout after the first 42 seconds. Yvonne Taylor had 21 points for the Hungarian team as they move into second place in Group A.
The highlight game of the week was the close encounter between Fenerbahce and Ekaterinburg, which saw nine lead changes and became increasingly contested and tense down the stretch. Ultimately, cool foul shooting from Kelsey Plum would keep Fenerbahce ahead and was the deciding factor of the game. Plum had a great game with 24 points, including four three-point shots, while her teammate Anastasiaya Verameyenka had a double-double. Brittany Griner led all scorers with 26 for Ekaterinburg in the Russian side's three-point loss to Fenerbahce.
Dynamo Kursk were on the warpath against USK Praha, outscoring them 9-27 at the end of Q1, and despite solid inside play from the Czech team there was nothing they could do to save themselves. Amanda Zahui had 16 for Praha, while six Kursk players scoring in double figures, knocking down 10 three-point shots. Kursk remain the only undefeated team after an impressive show of skills here. At the same time in France, Bourges were bolstered by a big first-quarter showing against Polokwice. Expert shooting form the home team saw them make more than 50% of all their shot attempts and the team finished with 13 total three-pointers. Polokwice's Artemis Spanou was the top scorer with 26, while rising star of the French basketball scene Alexia Charterau had 23 points as her team went on to win 82 to 72.
There was nothing Lattes could do to stop a steamrollering from Nadezhda in Orenburg. The Russian team were dominant in the paint and double-doubles from Emma Cannon and Kseniia Tikhonenko saw Nadezhda go on their way to 100 points to Lattes's 56, leaving the French team still seeking their second regular-season win. At the same time, 21 points and 14 rebounds for Celeste Trahan-Davis would not be enough for Castors Braine to stop Galatasaray’s excellent play from all over the floor. That and the Turkish club's teamwork were big factors in their ten-point win over Castors Braine, a victory which is highly crucial for them at this late stage in the regular season.
The week rounded off with an eventful and exciting game in northern Italy. Isabelle Yacoubou helped PF Schio to an early lead, only for Wisla to tie at the end of the first quarter, and in the second go seven points clear off a three-pointer from Leonor Rodriguez. Minutes later Schio tied the scores, and the teams then continued to fight for the lead right to the bitter end. An Endene Miyem jump-shot tied the scores at 57 with three minutes remaining, only for Cheyenne Parker to respond with a six-point run. A three pointer from Leonor Rodriguez, which took her total points to 21, capped off an exceptional performance from both herself and for Wisla, who emerged with a great victory 68-59 over Schio.
For more on the EuroLeague Women, including news, updates and full details on all games, visit the official website.
