Facing the French team Bourges Basket for the second leg of FIBA EuroLeague Women Quarter Final, Near East University Women's Basketball Team defeated their rival 66-85 on their ground and qualified for Final Four by making the series 2 - 0. Near East University will compete in Final Four organization to be held on 20-22 April 2018.
According to the info delivered by Near East University Sports Club, Near East University started the game at Palais des Sports du Prado with Courtney Vandersloot, Elin Eldebrink, Kayla McBride, Jantel Lavender and Sandrine Gruda. The periods ended 6-24, 24-43, 41-61 and 66-85.
After winning game 1 in Istanbul, under the helm of Head Coach Zafer Kalaycıoğlu, the versatile players of Near East University finished the job at Le Prada with a resounding 66-85 win versus Bourges Basket and got the ticket for Final Four.
Reigning EuroCup Women champions Near East University seems determined to win a EuroLeague Women Champion title in their first season after punching a ticket to their first-ever Final Four. They won 2-0 in their series at Bourges, finishing it off with a resounding 66-85 win at Le Prado.
Each with 20 points, Kayla McBride and Jantel Lavender were the top scorer players of the game.
The game lived up to the expectations when the two teams clashed at Palais des Sports du Prado in Bourges, France on Wednesday night. The second leg of FIBA Euroleague Quarter Final was perfect for Near East University as they clung on to a 66-85 win against their rival, with the one-two punch of Kayla McBride and Jantel Lavender doing most of the damage.
Under the helm of the Head Coach Zafer Kalaycıoğlu, the versatile players of Near East University exhibited excellent performance and powered their way to a 66-85 win to secure a place in Final Four.
Near East University started the first quarter with Lavender's basket and continued to dominate the game. Achieving an 8-0 lead in the first five minutes, the versatile players of Near East University didn't give way their opponent to drive the ball to basket. Bourges netted their first points towards the end of the sixth minute of the period (2-12). Near East University opened up with an astonishing 2-17 burst in Le Prado against Bourges towards the last 2 minutes of the period. Near East University completed the first quarter by an astonishing score of 6-24.
After a devastating first period of 6-24, Bourges started the second quarter in an effort to make up the gap. At 04:04, the difference dropped to 13 points (22 - 35). However, Near East University began to choke off any further indoors from Bourges with tough defense. The versatile players of Near East University, particularly Elin Eldebrink, Courtney Vandersloot and Sandrine Gruda weighted in and propelled their team to complete the first half with a resounding win 24-43.
Although both teams started the third quarter with mutual baskets basket (26-45), Near East University continued to dominate the game with tough defense and effective attacks. The third quarter was the scene of tough fights and mutual baskets. Bourges netted 17 points while Near East University netted 18 points during the third quarter. This period was completed in the lead of Near East University (41-61).
Without resting on the score advantage, Near East University continued to dominate the game by exhibiting dazzling performance. The efforts of Bourges Basket were not sufficient to make up any of the massive deficit in their game against Near East University who were 1-0 up in the series and within touching distance of making history with a first ever-ticket to Final Four.
Exhibiting a dazzling performance under the helm of the Head Coach Zafer Kalaycıoğlu, Near East University versatile players set a great platform with "team first" mentality to power their team to win the game 66-85 and get the ticket to Final Four.
Standouts
Bourges Basket: Ruth Hamblin 12 points, 8 rebounds, Valerianne Ayayi 11 points, 4 assists, Kristen B. Sharp 10 points, 4 assists, Marine Johannes 9 points, 4 assists, Elodie Godin 8 points, 8 rebounds.
Near East University: Kayla McBride 20 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, Jantel Lavender 20 points, 9 rebounds, Courtney Vandersloot 14 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, Elin Eldebrink 10 points, Sandrine Gruda 8 points, 9 rebounds, Quanitra Hollingsworth 8 points, 7 rebounds.
