French Giants Bourges Too Strong For Wisla

Bourges were either hot or cold on Tuesday. There was no in-between.

The French club, who boast one of the richest traditions in women's basketball in Europe, won 77-69 over Wisla Can-Pack after an up-and-down night.

Elaine Godin, the 1.9m French international center who is expected to play at the FIBA World Championship for Women later this year in Brazil, had 17 points and 16 rebounds to lead Bourges overall.

Céline Dumerc was excellent, scoring 15 points and making all three of her shots from the arc as Bourges did just enough to see off a determined Wisla.

Bourges stormed out to a 26-11 advantage at the end of the first quarter and looked as if they might run away from their opponents.

Anete Jekabsone's three-pointer at the end sent the home side to the bench full of confidence.

The visitors from Poland needed just three minutes, though, to claw their way back to 26-23 with Magdalena Radwan scoring five points in that surge.

Wisla Can-Pack would end up closing to 30-27 but then Bourges caught fire again and scored eight straight points.

A pair of Anna De Forge free throws for Wisla trimmed the lead to 43-36 by half-time.

De Forge did a little bit of everything in a bid to keep her side within striking distance.

She finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals, and her team did remain close for the rest of the game.

One of her jump shots came with 7:29 to play in the game and cut the home team's lead to 62-58, but Bourges had an answer - just as they had all night - with Dumerc burying a three to restore a seven-point advantage.