An important victory for Spar Girona. Spar Girona secured a win in the first leg of the EuroCup Women quarter-finals. Despite dominating the first half (45-30), a masterful second-half performance by the French team allowed ASVEL to turn the game around and take the lead (70-72). However, final plays by Bibby and Lundquist sealed the victory for the Girona team, 77-72.
Quality Minutes from Carol and Sandra
Lyon’s defensive intensity forced Spar Girona to score their first points from the free-throw line (4-0). Soon after, ASVEL turned things around in an instant with two three-pointers from Harris and Quevedo (4-6). Mack, with a jump shot, tied the game again (6-6), already reaching five points. A 2+1 play from Bibby and a basket under the hoop from Carol put Uni ahead (11-8). Jocyte took charge of Lyon’s offense with impressive individual plays, putting the French team back in front (11-12). However, Sandra responded with two consecutive three-pointers, reclaiming control (17-12). A great assist from her to Guerrero extended the lead to +6 at the end of the quarter (20-14).
Uni Extends the Lead with Confidence
If Guerrero and Ygueravide had provided quality minutes off the bench, at the start of the second quarter, Hristova delivered a 5-0 run, scoring both inside and from long range (25-14). The visiting coach’s instructions slowed Spar’s fast pace, but Uni gradually found scoring opportunities by exploiting their inside game. Sandra and Klara (twice) capitalized on their chances under the basket, increasing the gap (32-18). Jocyte responded with two consecutive baskets, but Bibby from mid-range and Touré from beyond the arc maintained the advantage (37-23). Bibby continued her dominance from the free-throw line, although Roberto Íñiguez called a timeout after a Cleante play with 2:54 remaining before halftime (39-25). Spar’s solid defense forced Malonga to the free-throw line, where she only managed to score one point. On the other end, Mack asserted her presence in the paint (43-27). Jocyte cut the deficit with a three-pointer, prompting Íñiguez to call a final play with 18.8 seconds left in the quarter (43-30). Ygueravide assisted Mack to make it 45-30 before the visiting coach called a timeout, but Spar Girona’s strong defense prevented ASVEL’s last offensive attempt.
French Comeback
After halftime, Natasha Mack engaged in an intense duel with Malonga. Both players carried their respective teams, with the American standout reaching 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while the French player contributed 13 points (55-40). Despite Girona’s advantage, long-range shots from Jocyte (18 points) and a basket under the hoop from Malonga brought ASVEL within 10 points (57-47). Despite Roberto Íñiguez’s timeout, the French momentum continued, cutting the gap to just 4 points thanks to Malonga and Pasa (57-53). Sandra broke the run with a three-pointer, but Malonga and Pasa once again brought ASVEL within three (60-57).
Sandra Ygueravide’s three-pointer and a two-pointer from Hristova ignited Fontajau (65-59), but Pasa and Malonga responded again (65-61). After offensive struggles on both ends, ASVEL took the lead with baskets from Malonga and Jocyte, along with Harris’ free throws (67-68). Despite another timeout by Roberto Íñiguez, Spar’s response took time. Points from Quevedo and Harris extended the visitors’ lead (67-70), but Chloe’s three-pointer and a steal finished by Lundquist tied the game (72-72). After a review confirmed Bibby’s three-pointer, the Australian star did not miss from mid-range, forcing a visiting timeout with 47.8 seconds remaining (74-72). Girona’s defense stopped ASVEL cold, and Lundquist sealed the win (76-72). A flagrant foul by Jocyte and a technical foul on the visiting coach led to Spar Girona scoring one of three free throws (77-72).
