Wisla Survive Nail-Biting Finale

Wisla-Can Pack recorded a first victory of the campaign in Group A after they dug out a nail-biting 70-68 win over visiting Pecs 2010 in a repeat of last seasons eighth-final match-up.

Under pressure after their disappointing opening defeat on the road at USO Mondeville last week and with the added blow of losing Latvia National Team star Gunta Basko until December due to a foot injury, this could prove to be a critical win in the context of what is considered a wide open pool of teams.

It really was an up and down game for both sides with the hosts racing out of the blocks from the tip to score the first seven points of the game and then finding themselves up by double figures in less than four minutes at 13-2.

Pecs 2010 then managed to finally wake-up and suddenly began to eat into the lead. Having managed to work hard to reduce it to just five points at the end of the first quarter at 22-17, they then stunned the Krakow club by levelling matters at 37-37 after a score by Kelsey Griffin and then taking the lead from the subsequent foul shot awarded.

Holding Wisla Can-Pack to just one basket in the three minutes at the end of the half, the visitors continued their renaissance period and when they left the court they were the team five points in front at 42-37.

Despite the bright start, Coach Hernandez and his players had plenty to think about and needed a good start to the second half but soon found themselves seven points behind.

However a triple by Andja Jelavic eased concerns although it was the only score managed by the home team in over five minutes of play.

Despite this, the home team hung tough and kept in touch with Pecs 2010 who themselves were struggling offensively and at the end of the third, led by just one point at 55-54 after home star Paulina Pawlak thrilled the locals with back to back triples during the last minute of the quarter.

With five minutes left in the game, Mizo Pecs 2010 were still ahead by only a point at 61-60 but then allowed the game to slip away as the hosts put together a vital 8-2 run to lead by five points with just over a minute remaining.

A triple by Dalma Ivanyi for the visiting team set up a nervous last few seconds as she got Pecs to within a point at 69-68 but a free-throw from Jelavic sealed their fate.

Ivanyi finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the losing team including three of four triples.

Quotes Wisla Can-Pack vs Pecs 2010

Pecs Head Coach Zeljiko Djokic:
"Congratulations to Wisla Can-Pack. It was a very good game that we were even close to win but the strong defence of the home team in the second half was too difficult for my players. I think that we can win the game versus Wisla Can-Pack in Pecs. I hope so."

Wisla Head Coach Jose Hernandez:
"I am very happy because after the lost game in Mondeville we had to win today. There were some dramatic moments in the game but the Team showed the character - that we are able to come back and win the game."