Rampant Rivas Take Series To Game 3

Oleksandra Kurasova played an important part in Rivas' home win over Schio

The Spanish side, who reached last years' Final of the competition, produced an unforgettable ten minutes of basketball during the second period which blew Schio completely out of the water.

Having moved 16-14 ahead after the first quarter, Rivas exploded spectacularly to outscore their opponents 25-4 and assume control of the game in quite brutal fashion.

Schio may have opened and finished the scoring during the second quarter, but what passed between these two baskets was far from palatable and ultimately, where the game was lost for Maurizio Lasi and his team.

The visitors became turnover prone and to their cost, that trend continued as they spilled the ball 26 times during the forty minutes.

Whilst Schio steadied the ship with a much improved display immediately after the break, Rivas resumed normal service at the start of the last quarter with a 15-5 run, a score by Slovenian Maja Erkic against her former club putting the hosts 66-42 in front.

It was a real team effort by Rivas, with Oleksandra Kurasova, Queralt Casas, Aneika Henry and Anna Cruz all reaching double-digits.

Jantel Lavender had 15 points and nine rebounds for Schio.

Quotes Rivas Ecopolis vs Famila Schio

Miguel Mendez, Rivas Ecópolis Coach:

"I'm happy with the attitude of my players. We played good defence and were able to run. I think that home court advantage is so important when playing at this level, and the story will be different in Italy. The biggest difference between our rosters is that the Italian players from Schio are more used to play that kind of 'finals' like the third game will be."

Clara Bermejo, Rivas Ecópolis:

"We played a serious game, doing every time what was better for us. We were good in defence. I think there are only a few differences between these two teams and in Italy it will be a new game, a whole different battle."

Maurizio Lasi, Famila Schio Coach:

"The key was the intensity, they played better defence, hands on. And that's all. We need to get a win in the third game and we will do what's needed for that. I don't think this big points difference will be a factor, any loss is the same."

Raffaella Mascriadri, Famila Schio:

"The key was the aggresivity that the Rivas players put [in the game] we know they're a strong team and we were not mentally prepared for this kind of fight. We rushed a little bit when attacking, we have to improve our defense, they played good in one on ones or running the fast breaks. We have to move the ball better and be together guarding them."

Quotes Rivas Ecopolis vs Famila Schio

Miguel Mendez, Rivas Ecópolis Coach:

"I'm happy with the attitude of my players. We played good defence and were able to run. I think that home court advantage is so important when playing at this level, and the story will be different in Italy. The biggest difference between our rosters is that the Italian players from Schio are more used to play that kind of 'finals' like the third game will be."

Clara Bermejo, Rivas Ecópolis:

"We played a serious game, doing every time what was better for us. We were good in defence. I think there are only a few differences between these two teams and in Italy it will be a new game, a whole different battle."

Maurizio Lasi, Famila Schio Coach:

"The key was the intensity, they played better defence, hands on. And that's all. We need to get a win in the third game and we will do what's needed for that. I don't think this big points difference will be a factor, any loss is the same."

Raffaella Mascriadri, Famila Schio:

"The key was the aggresivity that the Rivas players put [in the game] we know they're a strong team and we were not mentally prepared for this kind of fight. We rushed a little bit when attacking, we have to improve our defense, they played good in one on ones or running the fast breaks. We have to move the ball better and be together guarding them."