EuroLeague Women Quarter Finals Gameday 2 Report
The second gameday proved to be a deciding moment in the Euroleague this year, as three teams secured their place in the Final Four with a game to spare.
USK Praha had the lead over Ekaterinburg five times throughout a heated first half. Playing well in the paint for the home team was Amanda Zahui and Marta Xargay, who had ten of her total 13 points in the first half. Eleven straight in the second quarter from Ekaterinburg gave them a ten-point lead. Determined not to let the game slip away from them, Praha fought back and got to within two just before half time, but with far stronger play from the field and team cohesion, Ekaterinburg began running away with it in the second half, leading by as much as 23 points. Emma Meesseman led all scorers with 17 points, one of four players for the Russian club to finish in double figures. Picking up a 19-point win, Ekaterinburg will contest the Euroleague title yet again.
Meanwhile, it was all to easy for Yakin Dogu as they led from start to finish against Bourges Basket. Despite Valeriane Ayayi put in her best effort, and a good showing from Bourges’ bench, spot-on shooting from Yakin Dogu and hard work on the defensive boards saw the French team completely overwhelmed. Kayla McBride was the top performer with 20 points, while Jantel Lavender was one rebound shy of a double-double, having scored 18 points in the game. Yakin Dogu's spectacular debut season in the Euroleague continues as they take their well-earned place in this year's Final Four.
Schio looked good early on against Dynamo Kursk, despite the Russian team leading by four throughout the first quarter. Three from the foul line from Dotto tied the scores, and six in a row from Cecilia Zandalasini helped to see Schio lead by four at the first quarter buzzer. Kursk’s shooters put Schio under pressure when the game resumed, but then flatlined just before half time, allowing Schio to take an eight-point lead.
Led by top scorer Angel McCoughtry, who had 23 points, and consistent shows on offence from Maria Vadeeva and Epiphany Prince, Kursk took control of the game in the second half and took advantage of Schio’s drop in form in the final period. Kursk won 73-60, a scoreline that was not completely reflective of play in this game. Cecilia Zandalasini had a great show on offence with 18 points for Schio, who may have been the better team in the game, but their Euroleague journey this season is at an end. Kursk, meanwhile, will look to continue their unbeaten streak all the way to the title game.
The Sopron-Fenerbahce tie went to a deciding game three. A full report on both games will appear here following the conclusion of game three on March 14th.
