UMMC make history with third SuperCup Women title

EKATERINBURG (SuperCup Women) - UMMC Ekaterinburg have become the first team to rack up three SuperCup Women titles after they comfortably rode past Galatasaray 79-40 at the DIVS Arena.

Turning Point - Having recovered from a rotten start to get a foothold in the contest with an improved second period, Galatasaray were hanging tough 38-30 at the interval. However, UMMC quickly extinguished any hopes and dreams the visitors had of a shock victory by going  on an 18-4 run after the re-start and the one-way traffic became even more intense as they outscored their opponents 33-6.

 Stats Don't Lie - The massive gulf between both teams was laid bare in the shooting percentages. UMMC dropped a superb 9-of-14 from long-range. Galatasaray were an eye-watering 16-of-66 from the field. 

Game Heroes - There was a super debut for last season's EuroLeague Women leading scorer, Kayla McBride who added 18 points. Meanwhile her former Yakin Dogu teammate Courtney Vandersloot, who also made the move to Ekaterinburg was also impressive with 11 points and 6 assists . It's a connection that promises plenty for UMMC. Meanwhile Alba Torrens raced out of the blocks and continued to impress with an all-action 13 points, 6 boards and 4 assists.

Last season's #EuroLeagueWomen assists' leader @Sloot22 picks it up where she left it off 🏀! #SuperCupWomen@wnbachicagosky

📺 https://t.co/mdJBdcXGNc pic.twitter.com/lKnlaINLWS

— EuroLeague Women (@EuroLeagueWomen) October 17, 2018

The Bottom Line - The clean sweep of EuroLeague Women clubs in this competition continued as UMMC Ekaterinburg showed why they are the favorites to successfully defend their EuroLeague Women crown in 2019.  With so many weapons and with the green light from head coach Miguel Mendez to play up-tempo, with freedom and expression,  it certainly makes them tough to slow down and stop.

Their star-laden roster was far too deep and with too much quality for a Galatasaray side in transition and looking a pale shadow of the team that landed on the top step of the EuroCup Women podium last season.

What They Said - "I am happy that we won, but it is also important how we did it. We played as a team and made 27 assists. We shot the ball, we passed and we found everybody on the court. We are very happy.We are a deep team and we can play with 12 players. Tonight everybody did a great job on the court and we showed that we are here fight and to eventually win. We are here to play for our fans, for the management and our city. Everybody was happy after the game and this is also very important." UMMC Head coach, Miguel Mendez.

FIBA