Impeccable victory for Spar Girona on the road at Movistar Estudiantes. The Girona team accelerated from the start, dominating the game from beginning to end to win 67-87. Migna Touré, with 22 points and crucial in breaking the game open in the third quarter, and Chloe Bibby, with 21 points, were the top scorers for the Uni. With this win, Roberto Íñiguez’s team secures their sixteenth success in the LF Endesa.
9/10 from the field at 4:20
The Girona team came out with determination and quickly pulled ahead thanks to their speed and accuracy. In fact, they didn’t miss their first shot until there were 4:20 left in the period. This dominance allowed for a 4-10 run in just two minutes, with points from Bibby, Touré, Caldwell (2), and Lundquist. Although, after a timeout, Estudiantes closed the gap to just two points with baskets from Whittle and a 2+1 from Salvadores (9-11), a three-pointer from Chloe, a drive from Touré, and an individual play from Bibby extended the lead to nine points (9-18). Despite the lead, Spar’s defensive solidity allowed Uni to attack in transition, with Lundquist increasing the margin even further. Estudiantes tried to close the gap from the perimeter, but Bibby’s accuracy from three-point range and a two-point basket from Guerrero gave Spar a +13 lead (12-25). In the final moments of the quarter, Movistar managed to cut the deficit to nine points with baskets from Latorre and Buhner (17-26).
Local Response
With the change of quarter, Spar Girona used its full arsenal to attack from long range, increasing the lead with points from Bibby and Caldwell (24-32). Despite missed shots on both ends of the floor, Maya’s intensity on the boards and the speed of the transitions allowed Lundquist to score with ease (24-34). Shortly after, Pierre-Louis grabbed an offensive rebound and put the lead at +12 (24-36). After a local timeout, Estudiantes ran a play finished by Buhner, but Maya immediately responded with a three-pointer (27-39). Touré drove to the basket for the game’s largest lead (27-41), but free throws from Salvadores and a basket from Banaszak cut the gap (31-41). After Roberto’s timeout, Spar ran a designed play finished by Pierre-Louis under the basket (31-43). Still, Estudiantes answered with a three-pointer from Buhner and two consecutive baskets from Whittle, trimming the gap and reigniting the game. The last minute before halftime was frantic, with quick possessions on both ends. Just when it seemed that Estudiantes might close the gap even further, Lundquist grabbed her own rebound to keep the Girona advantage at halftime (38-47).
The Touré Show
A masterclass from Migna Touré in the third quarter. The French player did as she pleased on the court, exploiting every open space left by Movistar Estudiantes and helping Spar extend their lead (18 points from Touré, 43-63). While Salvadores responded with some key baskets after Estudiantes’ timeout, Bibby’s three-pointer and the final points from Lundquist and Pierre-Louis allowed Uni to finish the third quarter with a clear 48-71 lead.
Estu’s Improvement
With a large lead on the scoreboard, Girona slowed the pace, and Movistar Estudiantes capitalized on the opportunity to cut the deficit, with Salvadores and Buhner scoring 21 and 16 points respectively (56-74). Shortly after, Juana scored a drive and then recovered the ball to cut it to a 15-point game (61-76). But just when Estudiantes seemed to gain control, Spar quickly answered. A 2+1 from Bibby, a drive from Touré, and free throws from Lundquist helped Spar Girona extend the lead again (61-83). With bonus, Estudiantes managed to score the final points from the free-throw line, but Spar Girona finished with a 67-87 victory.
