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2012 EuroCup Women quarter-final
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Dynamo Kursk were the first team to qualify for the semi-final after holding off MBK Ruzomberok in a pulsating game (64-59) to clinch the series' victory (155-149).
The Russian side, leading by just 1 point after the first game, did not have it all their way as the lead changed hands on several occasions.
MBK Ruzomberok led for the last time with just under six minutes to play. Lithuanian international Ausra Bimbaite (in picture) finally put her side in the lead for good (58-57).
Michelle Snow finished the game as top scorer with 23 points while Bimbaite contributed 18 points and dished out 5 assists and made 5 steals.
For MBK Ruzomberok who are looking for new sponsors for next season Kadidja Andersson, Slavka Bucakova and Carmen Guzman scored 17, 15 and 14 points respectively.
Arras travelled to Russia with the hope of pulling off an exploit and ended up receiving a lesson from BC Chevakata in the art of three-point shooting while losing the match (56-71) and the series (127-151).
BC Chevakata went 11-from-20 from beyond the arc. The three-balls were their only solution to break the zone defense of Arras.
In a match streamed by the Russian side BC Chevakata were able, despite an aggressive defense by Arras, to take control of the EuroCup Women game and cut into the 9-point deficit from the first game.
The Russians put the tie out of the hands from Arras for good at the start of the final quarter with a 12-0 run (64-48) concluded by former Arras player Olesia Malashenko.
For Arras Nadezda Grishaeva was the top scorer with 18 points, while for Chevakata, Svetlana Makhlina had 17 points followed by Loree Moore with 9 points (all three-pointers) to go with her 6 assists.
BC Chevakata will now host Russian rivals Dynamo Kursk in the first EuroCup Women semi-final.
Turkish delight in EuroCup Women Basketball
The hosts Botas Sports Club led Gran Canaria (25-8) by the end of the first quarter and looked home and dry.
Gran Canaria had other ideas and chipped away at the score and finally drew level with seven minutes to play (48-48).
Unfortunately for Gran Canaria they were unable to go in front while Botas managed to deliver two knock-down blows with 2 points coming from Monica Wright followed by a trey of Noelle Kuin (53-49).
Gran Canaria managed to pick themselves off the floor but Nilay Kartaltepe was there to deliver the final blow with a shot from the land of many (56-51).
The hosts then paced themselves to the match victory (62-55) and series win (129-119). Kartaltepe scored 15 points and dished out 6 assists in the victory. For a change at Gran Canaria Lisa Lee was the leading scorer with 17 points.
If Union Hainaut's defeat in the first leg was a result of the snow storm that complicated their travel plans, then they have no excuse for their elimination to Kayseri Kaskispor after drawing the second game (59-59).
The Turkish side had control of the game in the first half and went into the interval leading (33-29) which they extended (41-34) with seven minutes to play.
Ashley Houts was not having one of her better day, so Corinne Bénintendi decided to bring Carine Paul into the game.
She was the spark off the bench her side needed as they finished the third quarter with a 13-0 run to lead the match (53-47).
Two minutes into the final quarter Hainaut Basket led (57-49) and trailed by just 1 point on aggregate.
Neither side was able to score during the next four minutes with the hosts missing the opportunity to save the series.
Eventually Anna De Forge (in picture) broke the dead lock from the free-throw line and Kayseri Kaskispor were on their way.
With just 2 points in the last eight minutes, Hainaut Basket had to settle for a draw but a series defeat (118-127).
Amisha Carter was the top scorer for the hosts with 19 points while Latoya Sanders had 15 for Kayseri Kaskispor.
Kayseri Kaskispor will host Botas Sport club in the first leg of their EuroCup Women semi-final.
Quarter-final second leg results:
Dynamo Kursk 74-69 MBK Ruzomberok
Botas 62-55 Gran Canaria
BC Chevakata 71-56 Arras
Hainaut Basket 59-59 Kayseri Kaskispor
Look back at the quarter-final first leg
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Picture credit:
womensbasketball-in-france.com
