EuroLeague Women
Bourges Basket win
Natalia Hejkova leaves Ros Casares

Bourges Basket's EuroLeague Women road victory against Seat Unisze Györ was only the second one in the 10th round games. However the major basketball news of the day came from Spain with the announcement that Roberto Íñiguez has been appointed the new Head Coach of Ros Casares.

Natalia Hejkova was hired by Ros Casares in February 2011 after former coach Jordi Fernandez had been released despite having qualified for the EuroLeague quarter-final last season.

Despite struggling to beat Lotus Gdynia on the first day of action in round 10 of the ELW Hejkova was optimistic about the future and stressed that the team required more time together.

A few hours after the press conference, Ros Casares announced that Hejkova (right) was leaving the club and announced the following:

"The game against Lotos Gdynia was the last for Natalia Hejkova as coach of Ciudad Ros Casares. The club and the coach have reached an agreement to end the contract."

"The Valencia outfit wishes to thank her for her dedication and her effort throughout the months she has been at the club."

"Roberto Íñiguez will replace her and will be unveiled on Thursday."

Íñiguez who is 44 years old is better known as a youth coach in men's basketball, this will be his first coaching assignment with a women's team.

Cathy Joens hurt while Bourges Basket won in Hungary

When Seat Unisze Györ had come to Bourges Basket in October, the Hungarians had kept it close until half time.

Quanitra Hollingsworth had been injured and not available while Renee Montgomery had been playing her last game for Seat Unisze Györ. For Bourges Basket Cathy Joens had made her return from injury to score 17 points.

In this game Joens played for just six minutes before having to leave the game for good with 3 points and 2 assists.

Hollingsworth caused Bourges Bakset all kinds of problems during the first quarter by scoring the first 12 points for her team.

Bourges edged the first quarter (20-14) but got battered during the second quarter to go into the locker room trailing (34-43).

During the third quarter Bourges started to connect with three-pointers as they chased after the score. With the fourth trey by Bourges Basket, this time coming from Céline Dumerc the teams were tied (54-54) going into the final quarter.

After almost three minutes of tension Bourges broke the deadlock through Ieva Kublina. Bourges stayed in front for the rest of the game. In a highly technical game both teams reverted to fouling a lot during the last two minutes as the game was played out on the charity stripes.

Kiesha Brown (left) led the Bourges attack with 17 points while Styliani Kaltsidou and Nwal-Endéné Miyem had 13 and 12 points each. For Seat Unisze Györ there were doubles for Hollingsworth (19 points and 15 rebounds) and Iva Ciglar (17 points and 13 assists).

This EuroLeague Women victory for Bourges Basket is important because they remain in fifth place and now have a three-game advantage over the teams in sixth place with four games to play.

Due to Seat Unisze Györ losing, UMMC Ekaterinburg have become the third team to qualify for the second round.

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Date created: 15 December 2011