We have managed to beat Szekszárd in a game of ups and downs, where we have built a commanding lead in the first three quarters and were able to hold on to a part of it in the fourth.
Sopron Basket - Atomerőmű-KSC Szekszárd 81-72 (20-11, 19-17, 18-11, 24-33)
Győr, 1100 néző
Sopron Basket: Fegyverneky 17, Turner 20, Crvendakic 7, Dupree 13, Határ 8 Cs.: Jovanovic 7, Dubei 5/3, Zahui 4, Honti -
Atomerőmű-KSC Szekszárd: Eldebrink 14/6, Dojkic 7, Gereben -, McCall 19/3, Bishop 15/6 Cs.: Theodoreán 3/3,
Statisztika
FGS: 26/48 54% ill. 16/32 50%
3-PTS: 1/6 17% ill. 7/25 28%
FTS: 26/34 76% ill. 19/20 95%
Rebounds: 31 (Crvendakic 8) ill. 31 (McCall 11)
Assists: 15 (Turner 7) ill. 10 (Studer Á. , Eldebrink 3-3)
Steals: 5 ill. 2
Turnovers: 6 il. 11
Faults: 22 ill. 28
VAL: 97 ( Turner 27) ill. 62 (McCall 27)
Zsófi got us going in the first with a successful free throw, to which Betti added a double from the foul line. Then Abby Bishop converted two free throws, to which Betti answered back with a lay-up (2nd minute 5-2). Bishop and Betti exchanged baskets, and then Bishop hit an open three after Szekszárd grabbed multiple offensive rebounds. Our Hungarian center was unstoppable, she scored eight of our first nine points, when Candice penetrated for a lay-up (5th minute 11-7). After that McCall and Aleks each scored for two, to which Candice added a three-point play, followed by a lay-up by Yvonne, forcing Zeljko Djokic's first time-out (8th minute 18-9). Following the break there was a bit of a scoring drought, which was broken by two free throws from Eldebrink, to which Debi answered back from the corner just inside the three-point line to end the quarter (10th minute 20-11).
McCall opened the second period with a corner three, to which Zsófi answered back with one of her signature mid-range jumpers. Then Tina split a pair at the free throw line, to which she added a double from close in off a spectacular assist by Yvonne, increasing our lead into the double-digit region (13th minute 25-14). Dojkic and Aleks exchanged baskets, and then Tina drew a shooting foul under the rim forcing a time-out for Szekszárd, and earning two shots from the foul line (27-16). After the break Tina converted both attempts from the line, and then neither side was able to score for a while, thanks to a big defensive effort. We were the first to crack the opponents' defense, Amanda made a lay-up off an assist by Yvonne, to which Debi added a big hit from downtown (16th minute 34-16). Eldebrink made a double, to which Aleks answered back with one of two free throws. Then at the other end McCall converted both attempts from the foul line, to which Yvonne answered back with a lay-up. Yvonne almost got a steal, but the refs called a foul on her, following which Studer scored five points in a row, forcing our first time-out in the game (37-26). After the break Tina grabbed the offensive rebound on a miss by Zsófi and put it back for two, and then McCall converted two from the line, setting the score for half-time (20th minute 39-28).
The second half began with a lay-up by Eldebrink, to which Studer added another one (39-32). Then both sides were putting up a huge defensive performance to prevent the opponents from scoring. A little more than three minutes into the quarter Candice converted two shots from the free throw line to get our first points, to which Yvonne added a lay-up after getting a steal and running down the court in a fast-break. (24th minute 43-34). Szekszárd made a free throw after a foul, to which Yvonne answered back with a three-point play, and then Candice hit a mid-range double following a spin move. Then Yvonne made another double, forcing Szekszárd's next time-out (27th minute 50-35). After the break Aleks made one of two shots from the foul line, to which Eldebrink answered back with a lay-up. Then Zsófi hit a double, to which she added two successful free throws, while at the other end Dojkic converted two free throws. However, Zsófi had the last say in the period with a nice lay-up (30th minute 57-39).
McCall got the final stage of the game going with a double, to which Bishop added a triple to beat the buzzer (32nd minute 57-44). Then Yvonne made our first basket in the quarter with a lay-up, forcing a time-out for Szekszárd. After the break Szekszárd continued to cut into their deficit with a three-point play by Dojkic, and the Bishop reduced the gap to ten points with a lay-up (59-49). Then Candice hit one from mid-range to stop Szekszárd's run, to which Yvonne added two successful free throws. As a response Eldebrink hit a corner three, while at the other end Zsófi made both shots from the foul line. Then Studer grabbed her own offensive rebound and put it back for two points, and then McCall beat the buzzer to reduce the gap into the single-digit region (36th minute 65-56). Not for long, though, because Yvonne converted two free throws to pull away again. With a little more than two minutes on the game clock Roberto Iniguez called a time-out to talk things over going into the late stages of the game (38th minute 71-60). Studer and Amanda exchanged baskets after the short pause, and then Theodoreán hit a three from the corner. Aleks hit one of two from the line afterwards, forcing Zeljko Djokic's last time-out in the game (74-65). Following the break Studer made a quick lay-up, and then Roberto Iniguez called his next time-out. After Tina missing both shots from the line Eldebrink scored from beyond the arc, to which Zsófi answered back with two successful free throws. Yvonne fouled Bálint in the act of shooting, and then Szekszárd's guard converted both shots from the line, to which Zsófi answered back likewise, setting the final score, which means we have won the Hungarian Cup in Győr (40th minute 81-72).
The MVP of the tournament was Zsófi, and the Top Scorer was Yvonne Turner.
Zsófia Fegyverneky: We are very happy about getting the cup back! We are after a very tough three-day series. We got physically tired, but I hope that this success will give the team a mental boost that allows us to regenrate in all aspects until Tuesday, so we can fight for a spot in the FINAL4.
Yvonne Turner: Thanks to our fans for coming out to support us! LET'S GO SOPRON!