Fenerbahce stunned reigning champions UMMC Ekaterinburg 70-61 with Dynamo Kursk needing overtime to overcome USK Prague 87-80 in the EuroLeague Women Final Four in Ekaterinburg.
After a slow start where Fenerbahce’s big-hitters in Candace Parker, Sandrine Gruda, Birsel Vardarli Demirmen and Alexandria Quigley were a combined 4-of-20 from the field, they suddenly came alive in the third quarter as the Turkish side turned a 33-28 half-time deficit into a 49-46 lead which they extended in the final quarter to surprise the hosts.
Jantel Lavender collected an outstanding double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds, while there were cameos from Quigley and Anastasiya Verameyenka who both fired 17 points.
Diana Taurasi led UMMC with a game-high 26 points.
Fenerbahce will face off against Dynamo Kursk after they beat USK Prague 87-80 after a session of overtime.
Anete Steinberga had a good look to ice the deal for Prague near the end of regulation but couldn’t get it to drop, sending the game to overtime and from there, Kursk took advantage, holding their Czech counterparts to just three points in the extra session to secure the win.
Angel McCoughtry led the way with a massive 28 points for the winners. Candice Dupree was unfortunate with an amazing 39 points in defeat for Prague.
