WOMEN’S EUROLIGUE – At the end of a close match, Bourges secured the victory against Salamanca (80-67) to end the European year 2024 on a good note.
After its narrow defeat against Basket Landes for the first match of the second round of the Euroleague, Bourges received Salamanca. The Spanish club lost by one breath against Mersin and was in last place in the group before this match.
A constant fight
And the expected mano a mano took place. After 2 minutes of missed baskets and other technical errors, Salamanca opened the scoring through Sika Kone. Afterwards ? The two teams went blow for blow. Never more than 3 points ahead for one of them. And when one tried to create a small gap, the other responded to get back together straight away. And it was Salamanca who won the first quarter 21-18. But Bourges will win the next one 18-13, notably carried by Pauline Astier who chained the baskets. At the break, the locals lead by 2 small points (36-34).
Bourges gets scared but pockets two precious points
When we return from the locker room, we think the Berruyères are well on their way to making a difference. Indeed, they will start this second half with a 7-0 lead. If Salamanca will respond, Bourges will stay in front. Amy Okonkwo will make a series of free throws and lay-ups to allow his team to pass the 10-point lead (51-40). Opposite, the shooting percentage weakens which benefits the locals. +6 before the last 10 minutes (59-56). But it was Tango’s turn to suffer the enemy’s wrath: the Spanish started the last quarter with their feet on the floor. The gap that they had started to reduce at the end of the 3rd quarter continues to diminish. Mariella Fasoula scored 3 baskets in quick succession and Salamanca returned to tie (59-59). Everything has to be redone. Salamanca will even get back in front. But Kariata Diaby and Pauline Astier will take matters into their own hands for Bourges: 11 points scored in 3 minutes (72-65), which pushes Anna Montañana to take her time out. Bourges no longer lets go of the reins and takes advantage of the fact that Salamanca is in the penalty box to make free throws.
Amy Okonkwo (25 points) et Pauline Astier (22 points) carried the team throughout the match. Particularly the second mentioned, essential to his team. Indeed, the Spanish returns coincided with his stints on the bench. And it is also she who will score the last basket at the buzzer to seal the victory (80-67). But another player who shone at the end of the game is Kariata Diaby. She scored 11 of her 15 points in the last quarter!
In the second half, Bourges corrected his 2-point shooting percentage (from 39% to 51%) and continued to score easy points on the counterattack. Thanks to this victory, the Berruyères move to 5 victories for 3 defeats as Basketball Landes et Schio and pass in front of the latter to reach 3rd place in the group. Group dominated by the club Myrtle by Marine Johannès, Marine Fauthoux and Iliana Rupert who is still undefeated.
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