Romania Keep Nerves After BIH Comeback

MUNICH (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers) - EuroBasket Women 2015 co-hosts Romania survived a tough fight but held on for a 67-65 victory at home over Bosnia and Herzegovina to tip off their EuroBasket Women 2017 qualifying in Group H.

Turning Point: The visitors had tied the game at 56-56 with an 11-1 run but the Romanians forced four straight misses and a turnover in scoring the next four points. Romania also made five of six free throws in the final 1:03 minutes to secure the win in Cluj.

Stats Don't Lie: Romania converted on 23-of-28 free throws for 82% compared to 12-of-19 for 63% for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Game Hero: Gabriela Marginean paced Romania with 21 points, including four free throws in the final minute of the game. She also collected seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.

The Bottom Line: Romania won their first game under new play-caller Miroslav Popov and can be happy to have avoided an upset at home over the minnows Bosnia and Herzegovina, who will be left with the consolation of out-scoring Romania in the third and fourth quarters.

They Said: "We are returning to European competition after five years of absence. We need more time to build a strong team, because we have some young players who are very talented, but don't have experience. I'am very pleased with how my team played after the first period, we came back into the game, but we lost in the last minute. The crowd was amazing and I want to congratulate the home team for their victory. In our group, every team has a chance to qualify... Also us, we have our chance, even if we lost this first game." - Bosnia and Herzegovina head coach Goran Jovanovic.

FIBA