Spar Girona writes a new golden chapter in its history: a victory over Ensino Lugo (83-67) and first place in the regular season for the first time ever. Roberto Íñiguez’s team wraps up an exceptional regular phase, and this success also secures them a direct ticket to once again compete in the EuroLeague Women. With a packed and electric Fontajau, the Girona squad imposed rhythm, character, and talent in a game that ended in celebration for the home crowd.
With a nearly full Fontajau backing the team from Klara’s first basket, early offensive errors gave the Galician side a clear opportunity, as Castedo and Howard scored from long range to turn the score around (4-10). Roberto called an early timeout, and Tate broke the run with free throws. On defense, Girona pressed full court to surprise Lugo, but after a solid defensive stop, Soriano struck again from three and the free throw line (8-15). Mack under the basket and Bibby added some relief for the home side, but final offensive mistakes and Lugo’s efficiency from the line made it 13-21.
In the second quarter, Roberto’s adjustments paid off. With solid defense, Uni began to close the gap thanks to a triple from Guerrero and baskets from Tate and Canella (20-23). Imani tied it with a three (23-23), and Guerrero finished a great transition to take the lead (25-23). Despite Lugo’s timeout, Uni kept their offensive rhythm with vertical and team-oriented play, though Soriano’s 13 points brought the visitors back level (31-31). Then Bibby, after an offensive rebound, scored under the basket, but Howard responded with a three that forced Roberto to call another timeout with 22 seconds left in the half (33-34). In the final play, Hristova hit a triple of her own to give Uni a +2 lead at halftime (36-34).
The second half saw a transformed Girona side, with increased defensive intensity and three-point accuracy that gave them a clear edge. A three from Bibby, a basket by Mack, and another triple from Bobi put Uni up by 10 (44-34). After a Lugo timeout, Soriano scored off an offensive rebound, but Bibby again answered from deep (47-36). Soriano, relentless on offense, kept Lugo in the game, cutting the lead to seven, but free throws by Chloe gave Girona breathing room (49-40). However, the strong start faded late in the quarter: offensive struggles and the bonus allowed Ensino to close the gap to just three (49-46). An unsportsmanlike foul by Fequiere (leading to Tate’s free throws) ended in a triple from Bobi, and then Bibby struck again from outside (57-48). Still, Howard responded with finesse, and Castedo’s free throws tightened the score again (57-52). With 24 seconds left in the third quarter, Roberto called a timeout to set up the final play, and Bibby delivered (59-52).
In the final stretch, the fourth quarter started with an intense battle in the paint, with Muhate scoring for Lugo and Mack and Sandra responding for Uni (63-54). With hunger for more and Fontajau fully behind them, Canella completed a transition with a basket and an extra free throw (66-54). Muhate and Mack continued their duel under the rim, and another fast break finished by Sandra stretched the lead to +14 (70-56). Garrido ended Uni’s run, but two baskets by Klara reignited the crowd (75-59). With the game under control, Uni kept up the pressure and managed the final minutes well to defeat Ensino 83-67.
