Champions End Avenida's Unbeaten Run

Halcon Avenida crashed to a first loss of the season in EuroLeague Women Group C after a final quarter explosion by defending champions Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje who claimed a 72-60 success.

Still a one shot game at 51-48 with just under nine minutes remaining in the contest, the home team hit the accelerator and posted a devastating 15-4 run which left the Spanish visitors dead in the water.

In truth, neither team were at their best offensively with Salamanca a shocking 2 of 17 from outside although the hosts weren't much better.

Even in victory, the classy Lauren Jackson was a surprising 1 of 7 inside and 1 of 6 from downtown but Pokey Chatman's team showed their depth by still claiming an impressive win.

Much of that was due to not only their final quarter burst of scoring but also a couple of solid performances.

Notably from Epifaniya Prints who dished up 7 assists while Irina Osipova was also excellent, claiming 15 points and 7 rebounds in 25 minutes of action.

Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje always held the upper hand in the game and were ahead 31-27 at the break.

While a rare triple dropped for Halcon Avenida courtesy of Belinda Snell shortly after the team returned to the floor to get the visitors to within one point at 33-32, it was as close as they would get.

Sancho Lyttle had a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds for Salamanca.

Quotes Sparta&K M. R. Vidnoje vs. Halcon Avenida

Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje head coach Pokey Chatman:
"I would like to thank my scouting department and I especially would like to thank my players who listened and executed all that we as a coaching staff asked then to do. We were excellent in the rebounding department and that was important because we played against one of the best rebounding teams in the EuroLeague. We have to continue the good work to reach our potential."

Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje player Ilona Korstin:
"It was an important win because we played against a team which was undefeated till today and which is one of the premier teams in Europe. We prepared well for this game and we now need to continue our collective effort so that we may prove that we are still a contender for reaching at least the Final Four."

Halcon Avenida head coach Lucas Mondelo:
"It was a close game and tough as we had expected. But at the same time Sparta&K proved that it is still a good team which is natural since it is the reigning European Champion. We tried to set the tempo because we felt that was the only way to win but since we failed we lost. We have to see our mistakes and to start winning again as we had till today."

Halcon Avenida player Anke De Mondt:
"We are disappointed but one has to consider that we had just come off a series of tough wins against good teams. Adding the fact that all day we were travelling and that we were playing against the current European Champions this defeat was to a point understandable. We have to stay positive and pick up from where we left."