Euroleague 3/2009 - Ros Casares 87, Ekaterinburg 68

Of the five gallery pictures, three were of Becky Hammon.

If there was anything that I didn't expect, it was that Ekaterinburg (2-1) would lose a game in Euroleague. Despite Ros Casares's (3-0) strengths, despite the fact that they are one of the best teams in Europe , I didn't think anyone could beat one of the Russian superteams from the Superleague. However, in front of 2800 spectators in Valencia, El Ros not only won, but won decisively, 87-68 on Wednesday to remain undefeated in Euroleague and perhaps make a few Euroball followers reconsider who the next Euroleague champion might be.

The box score, a play-by-play for the game, and a gallery of pictures can all be found here.

According to the write up, part of teh problem was that Ekaterinburg point guard Celine Dumerc was injured. (I've seen Dumerc play, she not only dishes the ball like Shalee Lehning but can make plays.) Without her, Ros Casares took a 12-0 lead to start the game and led 24-12 at the end of the first quarter. However, Ekaterinburg patiently fought back in the second to close to 40-35 at the end of the first half.

Both teams battled evenly in the third, with an Ann Wauters 3-pointer just before the end of the third temporarily closing the gap to five points again, 57-52. An 8-0 run in the fourth quarter closed Ekaterinburg to three points, 67-64 with just 6:14 left in the game. Unfortunately for the visitors, Ros Casares answered with a 14-2 run of its own that put the game out of reach.

Taking a look at the box score:

Field goal percentage: Ros Casares 51 percent, Ekaterinburg 47 percent. Slight edge to Ros Casares, but Ekaterinburg went 6-for-11 from 3-point range compared to 4-for-11 for Ros Casares. That cuts Ros Casares's edge slightly.
Turnovers: Ros Casares 13, Ekaterinburg 20. This was the key to the game. In effect, Ekaterinburg can blame Cappie Pondexter, who lost the ball seven times.
Offensive rebound percentage: Ros Casares 29 percent, Ekaterinburg 21 percent.
Free throws: Ros Casares 17-for-23, Ekatinerburg 6-for-12. Each side made 19 personal fouls, but when those fouls were made seems to have been important.

And now, the key performances of the game:

Ros Casares

Erika de Souza: 13 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals. A great performance, with 6-for-13 shooting and five offensive rebounds.
Delisha Milton-Jones: 19 points, 6 rebounds. 6-for-12 shooting.
Laia Palau : 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals.
Anna Montanana: 9 points in 15 minuts of play.
Becky Hammon: 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 turnovers. Hammon only played 14 minutes in her debut with El Ros.
Belinda Snell: 3 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists in 28 minutes of play.

Ekaterinburg

Ann Wauters: 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting from the San Antonio Stars center.
Agnieszka Bibrzycka: 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
Cappie Pondexter: 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 personal fouls...and 7 turnovers from the Phoenix Mercury guard.
Sandrine Gruda: 9 points from the Connecticut Sun player and French native.
Deanna Nolan: 8 points and 3 rebounds in 35 minutes of play from Nolan, who plays for the Detroit/Tulsa team.
Asjha Jones: 5 points and 8 rebounds in 19 minutes of play. Jones, who plays for the Sun, led Ekaterinburg in rebounds.
Maria Stepanova: Zero points in six minutes of play. Stepanova last played for the Mercury in 2005.
Svetlana Abrosimova: Zero points in seven minutes of play. Abrosimova last played for the Sun in 2008.