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Basket Almeda, from Cornellá de Llobregat, became the first semi-finalist of the Spanish Women's Junior Basketball Championship, after defeating EASO Pagoa 42-53. A match marked by the good defenses put up by both teams, making the inside game difficult and having to resort to outside shots in many cases. Basket Almeda was the team that best knew how to read the match and that allowed them to take the initiative on the scoreboard for many minutes.
The first quarter of the match was marked by alternatives, although it was Basket Almeda who soon took the lead on the scoreboard. After the initial basket by EASO Pagoa, a 0-8 run gave the Catalans a six-point advantage. EASO Pagoa made a good circulation of the ball in attack, not having too much success in front of the opposite basket. A 5-0 run brought those from San Sebastián closer on the scoreboard (11-14), forcing the Basket Almeda coach to ask for a time-out to stop the rivals' streak. The result at the end of the first quarter was a tight 11-15.
Equality took hold of the match in the second quarter. The good start of EASO Pagoa in this period allowed those from San Sebastián to take the lead on the scoreboard in the 3rd minute (18-17). It was a mirage, because Basket Almeda would quickly take command on the scoreboard and would not let go until the conclusion of this quarter. At halftime, the score was 23-27 in favor of Basket Almeda. A result that left the match open for the second half.
Basket Almeda continued to lead the match on the return from the locker room, managing to overcome the fierce defense of EASO Pagoa, which did not give the rivals any facilities at any time. The EASI Pagoa defense forced the Basket Almeda players to make outside shots on many occasions. It was in the final stretch of the quarter when Basket Almeda managed to take off on the scoreboard. A converted triple and two steals gave Basket Almeda a 0-7 run, placing them 13 points ahead (31-44). On the buzzer, Alazne Larrea converted a triple for EASO Pagoa, leaving her team ten points behind at the end of the quarter (34-44).
EASO Pegaso continued fighting in the last quarter to get closer on the scoreboard and make things difficult for Baket Almeda. The strong defense of the Catalans prevented those from San Sebastián from shortening the differences on the scoreboard. With three minutes remaining, the score was 42-49, forcing the Basket Alameda coach to call a time-out and stop the negative streak. After the instructions on the bench, Basket Alameda achieved a 0-4 run with which they sealed the match.
The final result of 42-53 makes Basket Almeda the first semi-finalist of the Spanish Women's Junior Basketball Championship. Great role played by EASO Pagoa, whose players should leave with their heads held high. Now they will have to fight for the 5th to 8th place positions.
Technical Sheet
EASO Pagoa (42): Paula Olavarria (2), Lucía Artamendi (2), Laura Manzano (2), Alazne Larrea (14), Ana Caperochipi (-) ? initial quintet- Ane Álvarez (-), Ainata Alcande (16), Ana Arconada (-), María Astier (3), María Arzac (-) and Irene Barbe (3). Coach: D.Martín
Basket Almeda (53): Lula Roig (3), Norma Salvadores (2), Judith García (9), Aina Ayuso (12) and Sandra Ferre (2) ?initial quintet- Andrea Blazquez (4), Paula Roig (3), Xenia Artiga (11), Elsa Pardo (-), Julia Campesino (2), Roser Santesmases (2) and Sandra Gómez (3). Coach: A.Rodríguez
Partial scores: 11-15, 23-27 (halftime) 34-44, 42-53 (final)
Referees: Méndez Suárez (Canarias) and Jurado Robles (Andalucía). Without eliminated players
Incidents: Teguise Municipal Pavilion. Match corresponding to the quarterfinals of the Spanish Women's Junior Basketball Championship.
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