Spar Girona is through to the semi-finals of the Copa de la Reina after overcoming a tough Lointek Gernika in a high-intensity game full of momentum shifts. The Girona side had to battle against a strong and physical opponent that kept the match close until the very last second. With a brilliant second-half comeback led by Bibby, Touré, and Lundquist, Uni managed to turn the game around and secure victory in a thrilling finish (71-68).
Lointek Gernika started strong, surprising Spar Girona early on with solid defense that extended the hosts’ possessions. Taking advantage of this, the Basque team pulled ahead (2-6). However, Spar Girona, struggling from beyond the arc, gradually found a rhythm with a more aggressive approach. Bibby used her physicality to take control, scoring eight straight points under the basket (12-9). Chery tied the game with a long-range shot, but Bibby, reaching her tenth point of the night, restored Uni’s lead (14-12). Irati responded for Gernika, and Hristova hit Spar Girona’s first three-pointer (17-14). However, Irati, just before the buzzer, leveled the score at the end of the first quarter (17-17).
Once again, Lointek Gernika built a cushion thanks to their strong inside game and free throws (20-26). However, Spar Girona’s response came quickly, as Sandra Ygueravide hit back-to-back three-pointers, bringing her team within two points (26-28). With improved defensive play, Girona tied the game with a drive from Ainhoa, forcing Lucas to call a timeout (28-28). Gernika reacted with a 7-0 run to regain control (28-35). Sargatal countered with a timeout, but Fam’s dominance inside the paint kept the Basque team ahead (30-41). After a basket from Mack (32-41), Lucas called another timeout to set up a final play before halftime, but Olaeta missed from deep. On the other end, Touré capitalized with a three-pointer, but Fam responded at the buzzer, keeping Gernika in front at the break (35-43).
After halftime, Dodson took the spotlight for the visitors, while Gernika tried to slow Uni’s comeback with fouls. However, a 2+1 play by Mack cut the deficit to five (42-47). Despite being in the bonus, Gernika capitalized on Chery, Olaeta, and Irati’s scoring to extend their lead to a game-high 11 points (45-56). But Bibby ignited Girona’s response, scoring a 2+1 and a basket inside (50-56). Despite a timeout from Lointek, Girona’s full-court pressure paid off, and Tate finished a key play (52-56). Dodson added a free throw, but Uni kept pushing, with Bibby staying on target. Soon after, Lundquist tied the game with a 2+1, and in the last play of the quarter, she hit two free throws to put Spar Girona ahead (59-57).
With nerves running high, Chery nailed a three-pointer to give Gernika the lead again (59-60). Uni then missed three consecutive attempts under the basket but regained control with a Mack layup (61-60). As the game remained tight, Klara hit a three-pointer, but Westerik responded with a drive (64-63). That’s when Touré stepped up at a crucial moment, sinking a three-pointer and finishing a strong drive to extend Girona’s lead (69-63). Lucas called a timeout, and despite mistakes from both teams, a foul on Tate and Uni’s bonus sent Westerik to the free-throw line (69-64). Errors continued until Dodson cut the deficit with a layup (69-66). With 2:06 left, the referees called the first foul of the quarter on Gernika, and Tate made both free throws (71-66). With tension at its peak and nerves affecting both teams, Awa Fam scored a crucial basket with 43.9 seconds remaining, prompting Sargatal to call a timeout (71-68). Gernika used up their fouls, and in Uni’s last possession, Mack missed a mid-range shot. Almost at the buzzer, Olaeta had a chance to send the game into overtime, but her shot didn’t fall, sealing Spar Girona’s victory and their spot in the Copa de la Reina semi-finals.
