Drama as Umana Reyer knock out holders Valencia to ride to Final Four
MUNICH (Germany) - Umana Reyer ended the EuroCup Women title defense of Valencia Basket on Sunday night as they claimed a dramatic win to take the last remaining spot at Final Four.
MUNICH (Germany) - Umana Reyer Venezia ended the EuroCup Women title defense of Valencia Basket on Sunday night as they claimed a dramatic win to take the last remaining spot at the Final Four.
Trailing by four points from the first leg of the Quarter-Finals, Umana Reyer recorded an absorbing 75-67 road win in Valencia to reach the Semi-Finals and edge closer to a first-ever title.
What a game! What a win!@REYER1872 is heading to the #EuroCupWomen Final 4 after a big road win in Valencia ๐ pic.twitter.com/sUt9MnFKc1
โ EuroCup Women (@EuroCupWomen) March 20, 2022
A good start was vital for the visitors and it gave them some early confidence to show they could complete the job. They applied much-needed pressure on Valencia as they moved 34-23 in front early in the second quarter.
Then, in an exciting game of runs, Valencia came roaring back and Umana Reyerย had to hang tough when a 26-12 run either side of half-time saw the hosts move ahead by 7 in the tie, with Bec Allen hitting a number of big shots.
๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐น@REYER1872 returns to the #EuroCupWomen Semi-Finals ๐ pic.twitter.com/MExYQH0vUD
โ EuroCup Women (@EuroCupWomen) March 20, 2022
That set up what proved to be a nail-biting finale and it was Umana Reyer who prevailed, helped by a stunning and-one bucket from Yvonne Anderson with 30 seconds remaining, as they wrapped up a 132-128 aggregate win in the tie.
Allen finished with 15 points in defeat, with Marie Guelich adding 19 points, but it was Umana Reyer's night. Especially for Anderson, who walked off the court with 23 points and 6 rebounds to her name, while her teammate Kayla Thornton scored 18 points.
Umana Reyer will face CBK Mersin Yenisehir in the Semi-Finals.ย
FIBA