FIBA U17W - Big performance by Kiss hands Hungary bronze success

PILSEN (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - A double-double from Virag Kiss propelled Hungary to a magnificent bronze medal success at the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women as they inflicted disappointment on the hosts and fellow debutantes Czech Republic, with a 67-61 triumph in the Third-Place game.

Kiss was terrific and made her case for a place on the All-Tournament Team by recording an eye-catching 21 points and 10 rebounds, while her partner in the paint Dorottya Nagy also did the business under the basket with 18 points and nine boards.

Additionally, Hungary had to overturn a 15-point deficit to get their victory after failing to fire on all cylinders early.

Tereza Sipova and Petra Holesinska handed the Czech Republic a flying start to the contest as they sunk downtown scores on the way to an 8-0 opening which had Hungary on the back foot.

A nice skip to the basket by Dorottya Nagy belatedly got Hungary on their way, but it was the home side that continued to dominate as Michaela Matuskova drilled another three-pointer to put the Czech team 18-9 ahead.

And, a strong run across the first and second quarter break soon pushed the advantage into double-digits as a free-throw from Lenka Soukalova put Czech Republic in a commanding position at 30-15.

At that juncture, Hungary had received nothing in terms of points production from the usually brilliant Debora Dubei. 

But, she eventually came alive and was instrumental in dragging Hungary to within a point at 37-36 by half-time, helped by Julia Reisingerova getting into foul trouble and some big plays in the paint by Kiss and Nagy.

Both teams struggled to make any kind of significant run when the action resumed and only a sweet basket by Eniko Kuttor helped Hungary to edge in front 51-48 heading into a hugely tense last ten minutes.

It was the start of the quarter when Hungary effectively did their damage, moving out into a 59-52 lead and making it a three-possession game - a gap the hosts couldn't bridge.

While Reisingrova scored in the post to make it 61-58 with just over 90 seconds remaining,  Agnes Studer executed a spin-move down the other end of the floor and fittingly, Kiss iced four free-throws to seal the deal for Hungary.

Reisingerova pulled down 13 rebounds for the distraught Czech Republic and Holesinksa top-scored with 16 points.

FIBA