LFB (Spain) 22/2008 - Joventut 79, Extrugasa 77

After a brief burst of energy to sprint away from the bottom of the Liga Feminina it seems that Extrugasa (5-17) has returned to its losing ways. Extrugasa managed to keep up with Joventut (14-8) for a long time but would end up losing the game 79-77.

The box score is here.

There was a question if Iziane Castro Marques would even play. Despite suffering "un pinchazo muscular" (Google Translate just shakes its head) Iziane took the floor along with Sara Gomez who suffered a sprained ankle. It's a testimony to the fact that Extrugasa was fighting for its life that they managed to keep it so close.

Unfortunately, the only details we have of play-by-play come from the quarter-by-quarter score. Joventu led 25-22 at home after the first quarter but Ibiza closed to within two points at halftime, 39-37. After three quarters, Jovenut led by three points, 53-50, and Extrugasa was able to score 27 fourth quarter points - but Joventut was able to score 26.

Both teams hit approximately 45 percent of their field goal attempts. Both teams were relatively identical in rebounding, with Joventut having a 35-31 edge with 10 offensive rebounds compared to Extrugasa's six. What killed Extrugasa was their tendency to send Joventut to the free throw line, where the home team went 18-for-27, compared to just 13 visits to the free throw line for Extrugasa.

Joventut

Murriel Page: 23 poitns and 7 rebounds for the North Carolina State graduate.
Gisela Vega Rebora: 20 points and 3 rebounds.
Armintie Price: 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Chicago Sky player, and the only double-double in the game.

Extrugasa

Iziane Castro Marques: 19 points on 6-for-13 shooting. Izi went 6-for-7 at the free throw line and was clearly a target of Joventut.
Mara Gomez Novo: 10 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Elisha Turek: 14 points and 6 rebounds.