LFB news from Bourges' last match before EuroLeague Women final four
This match was brought forward one day because of the EuroLeague Women final four which is scheduled for this weekend. Bourges Basket will face the hosts Gambrinus Brno. This encounter will be streamed live by FIBA Europe. It will not be possible to view the game live on the internet in France because Sports + will be showing the game.
Clermont-Ferrand were the visitors to Bourges in the opening match for the 25th round of the LFB. They did not waste any time in launching the hostilities. Claire Tomaszewski's three-pointer gave Clermont an early lead (7-2). Sonja Kireta started Bourges' revival but Clermont held on to the advantage (12-8).
Belinda Snell for Bourges, supported by Endene Miyem, quickly turned things round for the home team. In a space of four minutes they hit their guests 12-1 to go in front (20-13) to finish the first period (23-17).
The start of the second quarter turned into a three-point shooting contest. Florence Lepron from Bourges put in the first trey. Tomaszewski responded with a three-pointer for Clermont before Céline Dumerc concluded the exercise with back-to-back three-pointer (38-29).
By the interval Bourges broke their opponents' zone and stetched their lead to 18 points (47-29).
Clermont-Ferrand abandoned their zone system and reduced their deficit to 14 points after a back-to-back three-pointer by Vita Kuktiene (37-51). Lepron was on hand once again for Bourges. With Sonja Petrovic helping out offensively, both players went into the final period with a 16-point advantage (60-44).
Pierre Vincent continued to turn his bench. His side controlled the pace of the match and won the game (85-71). The only concern for Bourges is the extent of the injury to Nora Bujdoso who turned her ankle.
Claudia Das Neves from Clermont led all scoring with 23 points while Bourges' Kireta had 16 points and Snell 15.
The rivalry between these two clubs always makes this fixture interesting. COB Calais, playing their last home game of the season, were hoping to end their negative series.
The Arras supporters were present but unable to lift their side during an error ridden first half. This allowed Calais to go into the interval leading (33-28).
Both sides then stepped up in the second period. Lauren Neuves with a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds kept Calais in front (38-32). Despite the efforts of Allyson Hardy, the home team lost their way during the third period allowing their guests to regain the lead (49-44).
Calais quickly woke up and reversed the situation as they muscled their way into the paint to regain the lead once more. Arras were to score at the buzzer as Sylvie Gruszczynski managed an impossible shot. Their fans were on their feat as their opponents went into the final period (56-55).
The first five minutes of the last quarter was end to end stuff as both sides exchanged basket after basket with the home side holding on to their lead (62-61).
A time-out was called by Calais to break the rhythm of Arras which worked. Calais went on a 8-0 run to never look back to win (80-69).
Lina Brazdeïkyte led the COB attack with 18 points of which 12 came from the free-throw line. Sheana Mosch led the scoring for Arras with 20 points and also 12 points came from the charity stripes.
In March Montpellier and Reims made LFB news for a joint project in collecting money for various charities.
Sandra Dijon (left) was in inspirational form and battered Reims with 25 points in the paint, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in 27 minutes.
Reims started the match well and were leading by the end of the first period (23-18). Montpellier went about reducing their deficit in the second quarter. By the 15th minute they levelled the score (29-29). Yet Manon Sinico managed to keep Reims in contention just until the very end of the second period when Charline Servage from Montpellier hit a trey. So the guests went in front (40-37) before the break.
Reims started to miss easy shots and lose their discipline allowing the more experienced players from Montpellier a free run to extend their advantage (54-42). Zuzanna Klimesova used all her experience to bring Reims back into the match with some quick scoring (48-56).
However Sandra Dijon was not in a mood to allow Reims any more chances. With the help of Gaëlle Skréla Montpellier went into the final period leading (65-49).
Montpellier controlled the rest of the match and won comfortably (95-66).
LFB news from Wednesday night action of the other matches
Hervé Coudray, the coach from USVO, must be wondering what he has to do to beat his former club Mondeville as he saw his side lose for the second time this season against them (76-71). USVO last lost seven games during the regular season in 1994-1995.
Lenae Williams was the hero of the day for Mondeville as she poured in 25 points.Naura El Gargati's control of the defensive board with 11 of her 14 rebounds was decisive in keeping Nicole Ohlde from USVO quiet for the evening.
For USVO the performance of Sarah Michel was the highlight of the evening as she led the scoring for her side with 21 points.
Villeneuve d'Ascq recorded their first victory in April with a disciplined performance against Tarbes (71-56). Géraldine Robert had a good match with a double-double 19 points and 10 rebounds. She also found time to dish out 4 assists while Luba Drjaca contributed 13 points.
With Mondeville beating USVO, Villeneuve now must also beat USVO in their last match of the regular season to be certain of finishing in fourth place.
Mourenx played their last home game of the season. Despite losing (42-53) to Saint Amand they left the court to a standing ovation from their fans. Mourenx have had a roller-coaster ride in their last three seasons in the LFB. 8000 spectators - a record - turned up to watch them play Tarbes in the derby of the south in their first season in the LFB (2005-2006).
Aix-en-Provence ended Challes-les-Eaux' sequence of victories with a (72-59) victory. Magali Lacroix compiled a double-double for Aix with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Martina Luptakova from Challes was the player of the match with 26 points.
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In March Montpellier and Reims made LFB news for a joint project in collecting money for various charities.
