TTT Riga Much Better But Ros Win Convincingly

Ros Casares didn't win by 80 points as they did in the first encounter with TTT Riga back in Valencia but Isma Canto's side still claimed a convincing triumph the second time out in EuroLeague Women Group A.

With the EuroBasket 2007 MVP Amaya Valdemoro finally playing for the club after a long injury lay-off, albeit just for seven minutes, Ros won 78-54 to improve to 5-1.

The Spanish team opened up a 21-12 lead by the end of the first quarter only for TTT Riga to claw their way back and trail 24-22 when Kristine Karklina capped a 6-0 spurt with back-to-back jump shots.

The sparse crowd of 350 had reason to cheer when Riga's Spaniard, Cindy Lima, stole the ball from Laia Palau and went in for a lay-up to leave Ros leading 36-33 at the break.

Midway through the third quarter, TTT Riga were only behind 44-41 when Ros seized the initiative.

Delisha Milton-Jones made two free-throws and Elisa Aguilar buried a shot from behind the arc.

Milton-Jones scored again to make it 51-41 with 52 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

TTT Riga's resistance finally gave way in the fourth quarter when the visitors reeled off 11 consecutive points for a 62-43 advantage.

Milton-Jones has been Ros Casares' most consistent player this season.

The American had 12 points and seven rebounds.

Becky Hammon had her best shooting game in the EuroLeague Women since joining Ros Casares last month.

The Russia international made four of five shots from three-point range and scored 18 points.

For TTT Riga, Latvia national team center Aija Brumermane finished with 13 points and seven rebounds while Lima had 10 points and 11 boards.

Karklina added 10 points, four assists and three rebounds but turned the ball over five times.

The teams were excellent at the free-throw line with TTT Riga 14 of 15 (93.3%) and Ros Casares 11 of 12 (91.7%).

Quotes TTT Riga vs. Ros Casares

Isma CANTO, Ros Casares Head Coach

"It`s mistake to think only about the game we played in Valencia. Every time when Riga plays at home they fight in every game. The first half of the game was really close. We started really good but didn`t played good in defense in the second quarter. We played much better defense in the second half."

DeLisha MILTON, Ros Casares

"We are very happy to accomplish our fifth win in Euroleague. We are trying to win no matter where we play. It`s always important to get the win. Today wasn`t our best game as a team, but we were still able to come out with the victory. It`s the most important thing at this point and I`m really happy. I have to say congratulations to Cindy`s team, because they came out with a lot of heart and a lot of passion, and considering what happened in Valencia when we played each other, winning by eighty points, it`s embarrasing. TTT came out today with something to prove and you can see intensity on their faces and it was good to see."

Cindy LIMA, TTT Riga

"We played against one of the best teams in Europe. We have different goals than them. Their goal is to be in play-offs. For most of my teammates it`s the first year in EuroLeague, it`s a year to learn and grow up. Our goal is to increase our intensity, be as intensive and competitive as possible, game after game. We are lucky to play against amazing players, a lot of people in my team are playing a lot of minutes in EuroLeague for the first time, many play for the first time in the starting five. It`s not an excuse but we are growing up as a team. Today we really fought despite having amazing players in front of us. We tried to prove that we want to grow up and be competitive. Everybody has to give their best and I`m trying to encourage my teammates."

Aigars NERIPS, TTT Riga Head Coach:

"First, Valencia is a very strong team and I congratulate them. We were focusing on our defense but ran out of gas in the fourth quarter. Valencia is the "Final Four" team and I wish them good luck in the play-offs."