ZARAGOZA (Spain) - Final Six debutantes and hosts Casademont Zaragoza broke more new ground to spark a fiesta in the city after a memorable 69-53 Quarter-Finals victory against Basket Landes in front of an incredible 10,828 fans.
After two close games against each other during the Regular Season, this was different as Zaragoza fed off the energy of the sold-out crowd to cruise into Friday's Semi-Finals where they'll meet Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring.
Turning point
Zaragoza took control during the second quarter. They held their opponents to just four points in the last eight minutes of the period heading up to half-time. It handed them a nine-point advantage and with Landes looking out of sync on offense, they took full advantage.
Game heroes
French guard Ornella Bankole chose the perfect time to post her best game of the season as she dropped 16 points including a perfect four-of-four from the perimeter.
Compatriot Aminata Gueye also came alive and finished with 17 points, while Merritt Hempe was a constant menace inside and netted 15 points to go with 6 rebounds.
Stats don't lie
Zaragoza basically shot the ball much better and that finishing difference was huge - especially at the basket. They sunk 56 percent from two-point range compared to just 36 percent for Basket Landes.
Bottom line
Zaragoza met expectations and lived up to the occasion and pressure of playing in front of that landmark crowd. Their defense was the difference-maker, with quick hands and reading of situations so impressive. Now they can enjoy making yet more history, but also really believe they can go even further. There will be another sold out crowd on Friday and it could be another special night for the Spanish history-makers.
This was the end of a Cinderella story for Basket Landes and a disappointing way to sign off an otherwise historic and unprecedented campaign. They just couldn't get into any kind of a flow and missed far too many looks. Their outstanding travelling support gave them great backing and despite falling short, will still be able to reflect proudly on a remarkable campaign.
They said
"I am so happy for the team and for the Marea Roja - and for the city. We deserve to be in the Semi-Finals. I am proud and it has been an unbeleivable journey with some falls, but we always believed this could be possible. I am proud becauee we did it as a team," Mariona Ortiz, Casademont Zaragoza
"I am so happy and proud of my players. We did the game plan and I think playing at home and staying strong mentally makes it hard for other teams to beat us," Carlos Canteros, Casademont Zaragoza
"We tried to find a way, but it just wasn't working today and it was really hard. We did what we could but there is nothing we can do about it now," Murjanatu Musa, Basket Landes "Zaragoza deserved to win. We didn't find the way on offence. We tried our best. Zaragoza did find a way. But we don't have to be disappointed as we tried. It was good for my team to have this experience. It was a good lesson," Julie Barennes, Basket Landes
FIBA