Roundup: Kovacik back at CCC, Dikeoulakou departs and Fenerbahce fall
MUNICH (EuroLeague Women/EuroCup Women) – CCC Polkowice have turned back to their former coach Maros Kovacik to take them through the remainder of the season.
MUNICH (EuroLeague Women/EuroCup Women) – CCC Polkowice have turned back to their former coach Maros Kovacik to take them through the remainder of the season.
Kovacik back on board as Dikeoulakou makes a switch
CCC Polkowice have handed their coaching reins back to Slovakian play-caller Maros Kovacik after parting ways with George Dikeoulakos recently.
Having seen their EuroLeague Women campaign come to a close with a disappointing 3-11 record, Kovacik, who has been coaching in China, enjoyed a perfect return by winning 69-64 at Wisla CANPACK behind 29 points from British center, Temi Fagbenle.
However, one player not in the line-up was Elina Dikeoulakou (nee. Babkina), who has moved to reigning champions, Sleza Wroclaw. She enjoyed a fruitful debut with 12 points and 5 assists in an 82-63 triumph against Ostrovia.
A terrific double-double of 21 points from 80 percent shooting and 11 rebounds by Dragana Stankovic propelled Artego Bydgoszcz past Basket 90 Gdynia 92-85. Meanwhile, Kelley Cain was the star as usual for Energa Torun, with 14 points and 18 boards as they pipped MKK Siedlce 61-59.
Derby joy for Besiktas
Fenerbahce suffered a rare defeat in the Turkish League as they were on the wrong end of a 71-62 derby loss to Besiktas.
They were undone by 23 points from Erica Wheeler and 19 from Shavonte Zellous, spurring quite a celebration afterwards for the hosts.
There was also a loss for Galatasaray in another Istanbul match-up as they were beaten by leaders Yakin Dogu Universitesi 70-54 as Courtney Vandersloot garnered 14 points and 10 assists. It leaves Galatasaray in a rather worrying 10th position.
Hatay are now in second place after an 82-61 success against Agu Spor after Courtney Paris harvested 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Hind Ben Abdelkader racked up 24 points. Mersin are also rolling nicely as they outgunned Bornova Beckerspor 104-64.
Top teams all triumph in France
Veteran Elodie Godin rolled back the years with a 7-of-8 shooting effort for top side Bourges Basket as they beat Nantes Reze 70-55 to retain pole position.
✌️ Nouvelle victoire des Tango ! #AllezTango #FiertéTango pic.twitter.com/Adr05uL1TG
— Tango Bourges Basket (@BourgesBasket) February 18, 2018
Shooting guard and ESBVA-LM captain Johanne Gomis made a splash for her team with 20 points in a 71-60 success at Cavigal Nice, while Valeriya Berezhynska was the pick for Flammes Carolo with 16 points in their 48-67 win at Roche Vendee.
Montpellier are looking like they might finish the domestic season strongly after managing to ease past Mondeville 81-68 with 15 points from Marie Mane and 8 assists from Romane Bernies. Basket Landes are still off the pace after losing 59-46 at Lyon, with Saint-Amand looking over their shoulder in the lower reaches of the standings, after going down 64-70 to Tarbes.
Elsewhere in Europe
Sonja Petrovic exploded for 29 points as Dynamo Kursk were forced to work hard for an 84-74 home win against Nadezhda in the Russian Premier League. Alex Bentley had 17 points in defeat. Lara Sanders had one of her best games in a UMMC vest as she fired 20 points and went 8-of-11 from the field as Ekaterinburg swept aside Sparta&K 90-56.
Perfumerias Avenida still have a grip on the Liga Femenina after they rode past Sant Adria 75-65 off the back of 19 points from D'andra Moss, while Spar Citylift Girona continue to chase after winning 79-67 at Lointek Gernika Bizkaia, fuelled Shante Evans who netted 21 points.
The leading three teams in the Italian League all racked up victories over the weekend, with leaders Schio overwhelming Broni 88-43 as Isabelle Yacoubou grabbed 17 points and 10 boards. Reyer Venezia won 66-50 at Gesam Gas Lucca, helped by a massive 18 rebounds from Marie Ruzickova, while Astou Ndour and Dearica Hamby both had double-doubles in a 60-72 road win for Passalacqua Ragusa at Battipaglia.
FIBA