Canadians in Europe: November 28th-30th
This week saw plenty of drama in both women's EuroLeague and EuroCup, as well as a high-profile clash in the men's competition.
EuroLeague Women
With 13 points and 8 rebounds from Ruth Hamblin, and out-scoring Nadezhda from the field and three-point territory, Castors Braine found themselves with a thirteen-point lead in the fourth quarter. Two threes from Viktoriia Medvedeva began the fight back for Nadezhda, who, with a minute left on the clock, saw Erica Wheeler tie the scores with a layup.
Repeating this move seconds later, Wheeler gave Nadezhda a two-point lead, and unable to get a shot off in the remaining time, Castors suffered a devastating defeat by a margin of 71 to 69, in which Brionna Jones led all on the floor with 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Bourges saw 10 points from Katherine Plouffe, 12 from Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe and Marine Johannes led all scorers with 16 points over Schio. It was this effort on offence that saw Bourges lead by nineteen points at half-time, and though their Italian opponents closed the gap with 24 second-half points, Bourges' close-range success saw them see out proceedings with a 66-55 win which takes them to third place in Group A.
EuroCup Women
Canadian players topped the scoresheets in their respective EuroCup Women games this week: Miranda Ayim was the top scorer for Landes with 21 points, ASVEL's Michelle Plouffe led all scorers with 14, and Nirra Fields was the joint top scorer for Energa Torun, along with Laura Svaryte, with 20 points.
Torun found themselves in a close first quarter against MBA Moscow, but with better shooting from the field and a more successful effort on defence, they took a ten-point lead just before half time. Despite a game-high 25 points from Anna Leshkovtseva off of Moscow's bench, they could not overcome Torun, who move to the top of Group B after their 95-86 victory.
ASVEL and Lattes, meanwhile, were tied after ten minutes, but Lattes ran rampant in the second quarter, scoring 29 points which gave them a 17-point half time. Led by Plouffe, Fatimatou Sacko and Marie Pardon on offence, ASVEL scored 30 second half points, but that wouldn't be enough to turn the result around. A 68-62 loss sees ASVEL sitting mid-table in Group I, below undefeated Lattes.
Miranda Ayim guards Sint-Katelijne-Waver's Laure Resimont. Picture: FIBA.com
Landes led Sint-Katelijne-Waver by six points in the first quarter, and again in the fourth, where the Belgian club's outside shooting suddenly saw them take an unexpected lead. Landes' Celine Dumerc tied the scores, and a last-second three from Sint-Katelijne-Waver's Laure Resimont fell short.
Landes had the slender edge in the back-and-forth overtime period, but a final three from Fauve Bastiaenssen would be the dagger for the visitors from France. Resimont led all scorers with 26 points for Sint-Katelijne-Waver in an unforgettable 76-73 victory, which sees them and Landes with a 2-2 record in Group J, both behind Tarbes.
EuroLeague
It was a disappointing night for Kevin Pangos and Barcelona, who found themselves on the back foot throughout their encounter with Fenerbahce. Adam Hanga did not disappoint in his return to the Spanish club, scoring 16 points off the bench. His total, though, was matched by Ali Muhammad, one of five Fenerbahce players to score in double digits (Jan Vesely was two rebounds short of a bench double-double). Out-playing Barcelona in all areas and spots on the floor, Fenerbahce’s victory was never beyond doubt. The final score being 84-65 in their favour.
