LFB (Spain) 5/2008 - Zaragoza 80, Extrugasa 66

This was a big game for Zaragoza (2-3), who had lost three straight games and would be taking on Extrugasa (2-3) at home. With Zaragoza looking forward to the arrival of Paula Palomares, who had been out eight months with an injury, Zaragoza beat Extrugasa 80-66.

The box score for the game is here.

Zaragoza managed to take a first quarter lead and keep it. In addition to Extrugasa playing a Eurocup game only two days ago, Zaragosa used LaToya Thomas and LaToya Turner to attack Extrugasa on the inside. Zaragoza led 49-30 and halftime, and played Extrugasa more or less even throughout the remaining part of the game.

Zaragoza was burning down the nets with 56 percent shooting to Extrugasa's 39 percent. They outrebounded Extrugasa overall 37 to 23. Furthermore, they shot 71 percent at the free throw line compared to Extrugasa's 50 percent. (It seems that free throw shooting is a weakness for Extrugasa - in the last three games, Extrugasa has shot under 70 percent.)

The only thing keeping Extrugasa from losing by thirty was turnovers. Zaragoza lost the ball, turning over the ball 21 times to Extrugasa's nine.

Leading for Zaragoza was LaToya Thomas, with 29 points and seven rebounds. Thomas played for the Detroit Shock and Minnesota Lynx in 2008. Adding to Zaragoza's victory was LaToya Turner with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds. Turner was a graduate of Ohio State, who was signed by WNBA teams but never played. Estella Royo Torres also added 11 points.

Paula Palomares only scored four points, but played 30 minutes and had five assists. Not bad for an eight month lay off.

Extrugasas leader was Maria Gomez Novo was 13 points. Katia Da Silva had 14 points and six rebounds. Tamera Young had 14 points in 27 minutes of play, as well as four rebounds and two steals.