03.02.2006

Volgaburmash Survive Scare To Go Through

BC Volgaburmash staged a late comeback on Friday night at Dexia Namur and narrowly avoided a major upset to advance to the quarter-finals of the EuroLeague Women.

		Nicole Ohlde had 15 points for Dexia

The Belgians, who had to scrape their way into the play-offs after just two wins in Group A, lost decisively in the first leg at Samara but they fell in the second 77-74.

Dexia had led 44-41 at half-time and then started the second half with a 12-1 surge for a 56-42 advantage - their biggest cushion of the game.

They were unable to pull away and Volgaburmash fought back to set up a thrilling fourth quarter.

Nicole Ohlde's lay-up with two minutes and 20 seconds left had put Dexia in front at 74-70.

At that stage, the defending EuroLeague Women champions Volgaburmash, with some of the biggest names in women's basketball in their squad and just one defeat all season, were looking vulnerable.

But Russian international Olga Arteshina responded with a lay-up at the 1:39 mark to cut the deficit to one.

And after Ohlde missed a shot down low on Dexia's next possession, Arteshina struck again, this time from three-point range with 56 seconds remaining.

It was her third three in as many attempts and took her tally to 15 points.

It got ugly for both teams after.

Anna Wielebnowska made an ill-advised pass for her fourth turnover of the game.

When Volgaburmash held on to the ball until 13 seconds remaining, their Spanish star Amaya Valdemoro missed a lay-up to give the ball back to Dexia.

After a timeout, Dexia's Elzbieta Miedzik threw the ball away to give possession back to Volgaburmash.

Following a Dexia foul, Volgaburmash were unable to inbound the ball in the allotted five seconds and they turned the ball back over to Dexia yet again.

It was not to be their night as Oksana Agabalova missed a lay-up, and the Belgians fouled Valdemoro to stop the clock.

With Volgaburmash now in the bonus, Valdemoro made both shots from the line.

Dexia could still tie the game with a three-pointer but they had to quickly get the ball up the floor.

To complete a miserable final minute, Krystyna Szymanska-Lara had the ball stolen by French point guard Edwige Lawson and Volgaburmash held on to reach the final eight.