Gdynia Hang On For First Win

Lotos Gdynia edged out Gospic Croatia 90-88 in a thrilling finale to their EuroLeague Women clash.

The battle of the two previously winless teams went to the wire, but the hosts just got their noses in front and hung on in the final seconds.

Milka Bjelica had 17 points and 7 rebounds for Lotos

Monica Wright hit a jump-shot and after Michelle Maslowski's three-pointer missed for Gospic, Magda Kaczmarska hit from long-range and drew a foul, making the free-throw to put Gdynia up 88-85.  

Maurita Reid's lay-up cut the gap back to one with nine seconds left, but Elina Babkina hit a pair of free throws to make it 90-87 with six ticks left.

Wright then fouled Reid to send her to the free-throw line, where she made one, then missed the second only to see Gdynia grab the rebound and end the game.

Wright led Gdynia with 26 points, while Babkina and Milka Bjelica had 17 each with Sandora Irvin added 12.

Reid had 20 points and nine rebounds for Gospic, with Sandra Mandir adding 19, Ivezic 18 and Ana Vrsaljko 17.

Quotes Lotos Gdynia vs Gospic Croatia

Lotos Head Coach Dariusz Raczynski:

I would like to congratulate my team. In the first half we were down but in the second half the girls played in the way we wanted to play. Kaczmarska's shot was decisive. The whole team played very well, that's why we won. 

Lotos Guard Monica Wright:

Gospic have a very talented team. We fought hard and played very well even when we were down by 14. We are a young team but we don't give up and we will play better. 

Gospic Head Coach Stipe Bralic:

I'm very disappointed. I think we played very well, especially in the first half. In the 18th minute we were leading by 14 points, that's why it is hard to understand that we lost. In the second half Gdynia simply played better. And Magda Kaczmarska's three-pointer decided the game.