Gospic Edge Out MKB

Gospic Croatia pulled clear in the final 72 seconds to edge out MKB Euroleasing and record only the second win of their EuroLeague Women Group B campaign.

Although they had nothing left to play for but pride, Gospic ensured this was an enjoyable battle against visitors who were already assured of fourth place in the group.

And they came back from a 74-70 deficit with 3:15 to go to emerge with the win.

Sandra Mandir began the fightback with a three-pointer and another long-range effort from Jelena Ivezic gave them a 76-74 left with 1:33 to go.

Tijana Krivacevic tied it for the visitors but Ivezic held her nerve at the free-throw line to put the hosts back in front with a pair of free throws.

Katalin Honti was guilty of a turnover and, although Maurita Reid could not capitalise as she missed three-pointer, Marissa Coleman was also off target at the other end.

Marija Vrsaljko's jumpshot made it 80-76 with 19 seconds left, and she drew a foul in the process, allowing her to add one more from the stripe.

Coleman sank a quick jumpshot to ensure it was once again a one-possession game, but Honti and Coleman missed with late three-point attempts as Gospic hung on.

Vrsaljko led Gospic with 20 points while Ivezic had 16, Michelle Maslowski and Reid 15 each and Mandir 13.

MLB wasted 25 points from Krivacevic, while Honti finished with 19 and Coleman had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Quotes Gospic Croatia vs MKB Euroleasing

Stipe Bralić, Head Coach Gospić Croatia Osiguranje:

"We managed to win against a stronger team. We gave our best, led the entire game and then four minutes before the end we were down by four points. When it was most important, we played as a team and showed our true character. Our players, Mandir and Ivezić, got us back into the winning position with their 3-point shots and then Maurita Reid stole a ball and gave Marija Vrsaljko the opportunity to win the game for us".

Sandra Mandir, Gospić Croatia Osiguranje:

"I am very pleased that we won and that we showed that we can play in the EuroLeague. We know that the players of Sopron have been playing in this competition for many years. This is only our second year and I hope that we will come back next year".

Norbert Szekely, Head Coach MKB Euroleasing:

"We knew that we didn't have enough strength and that it would be hard for us to win. To win you need to play better defence than the other team and this is what Gospić had. I congratulate Gospić.  They played very well and their win was well-deserved.  Even though we didn't win, we had a wonderful stay in Gospić".

Katalin Honti, MKB Euroleasing:

"I think that this game was very difficult for us. We knew what to expect. We gave our best in order to win but in the end Gospić was the better team. Another reason why we didn't win was that we did not have enough strength in the end because some of our players are ill. Of course, I congratulate the team of Gospić.  They were shooting better and this is why they won".