MiZo Pecs 85 Bourges 84

Pecs are the second team to qualify for the EuroLeague Women Final Four this year after a thrilling overtime win over French side Bourges.

Pecs were already on the way to qualifying for their second final four in 3 years after doing the hard part of winning in Bourges. After an 11:0 start in the return leg, it looked like the rest of the game would be plain sailing.

This year’s Bourges side may lack the experience of the team that dominated Euroepan basketball in the late 90’s, but they make up for it in youthful determination. The French side never gave up and in the fourth quarter they finally began to turn the game in their favour.

With 1.3 seconds to go Bourges were leading by 3 points (70:73), but center Emmeline Ndongue fouled Albena Branzova on a 3-point attempt. Branzova, a 90% free throw shooter, calmly sank all 3 shots and the game went to overtime.

A 3-pointer from Alison Tranquilli gave Pecs the momentum they so desperately needed and a missed free throw from French point guard Celine Dumerc sealed Bourges’ fate.

Branzova finished with a team high 24 points, followed by Tranquilli with 21.