Belarus Right The Wrongs Of Opening Loss
There was to be no repeat of Belarus' late collapse against Poland, as they held off Belgium 76-71 in Minsk on Wednesday, to secure their first victory in EuroBasket Women 2017 qualifying Group G.
MUNICH (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers) - There was to be no repeat of Belarus' late collapse against Poland, as they held off Belgium 76-71 in Minsk on Wednesday, to secure their first victory in EuroBasket Women 2017 qualifying Group G.
Turning Point: Belarus took control with a 10-0 third-quarter run sparked by Tatyana Troina's three-pointer. Belgium pulled back within two points in the closing stages but unlike on Saturday, Belarus kept their cool to re-establish their advantage from the free-throw line before executing well down the stretch.
Stats Don't Lie: The hosts were relatively efficient across the board, but it was in getting 25 points from their bench that they were able to gain the upper hand over Belgium, sustaining a high-level even when their starters rested.
Game Hero: After such a crushing defeat in their opener against Poland, Belarus needed their leaders to step forward and Anastasiya Verameyenka did just that. The towering center set the standard with 24 points off 9-of-11 field goal shooting, as well as reeling in 14 rebounds and providing her team with a focal point throughout.
The Bottom Line: Group favourites Belarus recovered from their surprise reverse in the opener to get back on track with a display that put to bed the demons of that defeat, Verameyenka in particular, sending a message to the rest of the group. For Belgium, this was always going to be their toughest test, and will surely take plenty of positives, Emma Meesseman's 31-point, 17-rebound performance being one of them.
FIBA