24.02.2006

Champions Fight Back To Sweep Dynamo

BC Volgaburmash again had to come from behind to see off Dynamo Moscow and make it to the Final Four.

Just like in the opening game, the defending champions trailed in the early stages, and were down by as many as 34-24 in the second period.

		Amaya Valdemoro had 17 points for Samara

But behind 17 points from Amaya Valdemoro, and 16 points and 13 rebounds from FIBA Europe 2005 Player of the Year Maria Stepanova, Volgaburmash rallied to complete a two-game sweep of their Russian opponents.

Dynamo had an excellent second quarter to give themselves the chance of an upset.

Having led 19-17 at the end of the first period they then went on a 7-2 run to move clear.

Natalia Vodopiyanova’s lay-up with 3:58 left in the first half sent them 10 points clear before Volgaburmash began to spark into life.

Spain international Valdemoro was having one of her best games this season, and replied with a three-pointer to trim Dynamo’s lead and spark a 13-6 run from the visitors to close the gap to 40-37 by half-time.

That deficit was quickly overturned by Volgaburmash early in the third quarter as Edwige Lawson and Ann Wauters made key baskets.

Lawson finished the game with 16 points while Wauters had 14 and seven rebounds, and Ilona Korstin made it five Volgaburmash players in double digits with 10 points.

Dynamo’s efforts were led by 18 points from Oxana Rakhmatulina. Kamila Vodickova added 16 and American duo Sue Bird and Diani Taurasi had seven points apiece.