Portugal Too Much For Great Britain

Sonia Reis scored 29 points and pulled in 15 rebounds as Portugal went on to defeat Great Britain 72-54 in the EuroBasket Women Qualifying Round on Saturday evening.

Portugal stormed out to a 26-15 lead, thanks largely to some  strong inside play from Reis, and early indications were that the hosts would be in for a long night.

The second quarter opened seeing a Great Britain team with a  renewed vigour thanks to a fantastic offensive performance from Kristy Lavin. 

The British forward, also a member of England’s Commonwealth Games bronze medal winning team, lit the lamp for 19 first half points including 3 for 5 three point shots from behind the three point arc.

Britain’s Stefanie Collins also found her mark from long range in the first half, equalling Lavin’s 60% shooting from outside (3 for 5) and got the crowd out of their seats after completing a 4-point play (three-point shot and the shooting foul).

However, Reis answered Britain’s outside shooting with 14 first half points of her own and Portugal went into the half time break with a 39-36 lead.

Collins opened the third quarter with another three and the teams battled throughout, with neither side able to establish a commanding lead.  The period ended with a Georgia Jones buzzer beater and Britain trailed 52-50. 

Unfortunately for the hosts, their offense disappeared in the final quarter.  

As Portugal continued to move the ball well and consistently score inside, Great Britain struggled from anywhere on the floor, not hitting their first points until a pair of Rosie Mason free throws halfway through the period.

By this time, Portugal was beginning to gather momentum and the game was all but out of reach. 

Britain’s first and only field goal came with just over two minutes left when Emma Pass sunk a 15 footer from the corner.

Gilda Correira followed Reis with 17 points and 7 rebounds, while Lavin went scoreless in the second half.  Collins finished with 13 points.