EuroLeague Women

Cras Basket Taranto strengthened their grip on first place in Group A of the EuroLeague Women with a 71-64 victory at Good Angels Kosice.

The Italians moved to 5-1 while Kosice lost for the second straight week and fell to 3-3.

Megan Mahoney and Elodie Godin provided a mean one-two punch for Taranto by pouring in 22 and 20 points, respectively.

Cras outscored Kosice 11-4 in a first-quarter stretch to lead 15-7.

A Mahoney three-ball increased the lead to 12 by the end of the first quarter and also ignited a 10-0 run that seemed to give the hosts a 32-13 stranglehold on the contest.

The lead was double digits until 22 seconds remained in the third quarter when Slovakia international Anna Jurcenkova's two free-throws reduced the deficit 53-44.

After baskets from Charde Houston and Candice Dupree early in the fourth, Kosice suddenly found themselves behind 55-51 and victory looked to be within their grasp.

Michelle Greco replied with a three-ball for Cras, though.

With 3:14 to go in the fourth, Good Angels' Lucia Kupcikova scored to cut the deficit to 63-59.

Mahoney's lay-up took the Cras lead back to six and they ended up with a seven-point triumph.

Dupree had 22 points and 13 rebounds for Kosice and Houston weighed in with 16 and nine.