Sopron tighten grip at the top of Group B; Schio, DVTK also pick up wins
MUNICH (Germany) - Sopron Basket cemented their place at the summit of Group B on Thursday night, while Beretta Famila Schio and DVTK Hun-Therm both also posted important wins.
Sopron strengthened their grip on top spot after they grinded out a precious and hard-fought 51-44 home floor triumph against CBK Mersin Yenisehir Bld. The visitors had beaten EuroLeague Women favorites Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding last weekend in the Turkish league and that momentum was evident when they scored the first 7 points of the contest.
But they soon found it much tougher going against a hardened Sopron team who subsequently threw a defensive blanket all over Mersin. A 15-point haul from Zsofia Fegyverneky was key, as was a smart 11 points and 6 rebounds from Dragana Stankovic, while Ezi Magbegor snapped up 11 boards. There was a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds for Quanitra Hollingsworth in defeat, with her team falling to 5-4.
Schio squeezed out a 70-65 win against Spar Girona which means they are in second place in the Group with a 6-3 record. A massive 21 second chance points for the Italians and a super job on the glass really hurt the visitors.
🚨 BUZZER @howard_rhyne BEATER 🚨
— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) January 12, 2023
No shot clock can stop her 🎯#EuroLeagueWomen | @familaschio pic.twitter.com/B0J6ORLEDR
Rhyne Howard had her best game in a Schio vest, with the American impressing with 26 points and 5 rebounds. Only Rebekah Gardner managed to make it into double-figures for Girona, scoring 15 points as her team fell to 5-4.
Finally, DVTK are now dreaming of making the Quarter-Finals after they completed a crucial double over Kangoeroes Mechelen. Having beaten the Belgians by a point in a thrilling first meeting earlier in the campaign, DVTK were more convincing this time as they secured a 96-60 victory.
⛔️ Blocks everywhere in Belgium!#EuroLeagueWomen | @ceemaries | @MoBertsch pic.twitter.com/5NcE8ixMh7
— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) January 12, 2023
That takes them to 5-4 for the season and with a genuine chance to push for a top four spot in the group. A dazzling 23-3 start to the second half was the turning point in what had been an otherwise tight affair before the break.
Arella Guirantes was outstanding for DVTK and the Puerto Rico national team guard posted a spectacular 21 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists.
FIBA
