03.02.2006

Teasley Shines As MKB March On

MKB Euroleasing Sopron completed a two-game sweep of UMMC Ekaterinburg on Friday night as American Nikki Teasley torched the visitors from Russia with 27 points in an 89-79 triumph.

		Nikki Teasley had a season-high 27 points

Teasley played all 40 minutes and was eight of 16 from the field, including six of 13 from the arc.

Her fellow American Yolanda Griffith had 22 points and eight rebounds for UMMC but they followed up their 80-77 home defeat in the first leg with another loss.

The Russian team looked good early. Reserve Yulia Mironova scored her only two points of the contest for a 31-26 advantage three-and-a-half minutes into the second quarter.

The Hungarian hosts did not allow UMMC to build any momentum, though, and battled back. The game was even heading into the final 3:24 of the first half.

A jump shot from Polish international center Margo Dydek gave the visitors a 40-38 lead, but MKB reeled off the last six points of the quarter and went to the changing rooms with a 44-40 lead.

Reka Cserny had hit back-to-back baskets and then Ivana Matovic completed the first-half scoring with a jump shot.

The hosts turned on the style in the third, outscoring UMMC 23-13 to lead by 13 points going into the final period and although the Russians chipped away, their night ended in disappointment.

The 27 points from the former North Carolina Tar Heel and WNBA star with the Los Angeles Sparks was her season high.

		“	We beat the very strong Ekaterinburg with young players	„
		Natalia Hejkova

Natalia Hejkova's MKB are in unchartered territory as the club has never made it this far in the EuroLeague Women.

"What a beautiful night!" she said.

"I'm very proud for my young team. We beat the very strong Ekaterinburg with young players."

UMMC coach Zoran Visic felt Tuesday's defeat proved decisive.

"We knew that it would be hard," he said. "I think we lost the series at home. We were strong in names but Sopron worked as a team."