Ekaterinburg Crush Avenida

Candace Parker poured in 21 points to remain unbeaten EuroLeague Women Group C

UMMC Ekaterinburg kept up their perfect record in Group C of the EuroLeague Women in style with a 94-62 rout of Perfumerias Avenida.

Candace Parker poured in 21 points for the Russians, who outscored the visitors 28-8 in the final period to turn a comfortable lead into a laugher.

They had already taken control in the opening period, but not before Avenida had enjoyed a brief lead.

When Marta Fernandez sank a three-pointer the visitors were up 10-4 three minutes in, but that was never likely to last against Ekaterinburg's high-octane offence, and in a blink of an eye they came back, tying the game up at 14-14 on Quanitra Hollingsworth's jump-shot.

They then finished the period on a 12-2 run to lead 28-18 following a three-point play from Ewelina Kobryn.

They held the visitors at arm's length through most of the second period, bar a late charge that saw them close to within 40-37 on Egle Sulciate's jump-shot. Ekaterinburg responded to that with a six-point burst to lead by nine at the break.

A quick start to the third period from Ekaterinburg seemed to have put the game beyond reach as they led 66-39 on Parker's jump-shot, but Avenida made a contest of it once more with an outstanding run of 15 unanswered points over the final four and half minutes of the period, closing to 66-54 on Fernandez's tip-in.

The Russians heeded the warning and were utterly ruthless in the final 10 minutes, starting with a three-pointer from Kobryn and never letting up.

Deanna Nolan finished with 19 points for Ekaterinburg while Kobryn collected 14, Sandrine Gruda and Diana Taurasi adding 12 apiece.

Sulciute had 12 for Avenida while Fernandez and Marta Xargay had 11 each and Isabel Sanchez 10.

Quotes UMMC Ekaterinburg vs. Perfumerias Avenida Salamanca

UMMC head coach Olaf Lange:
"I am satisfied with the results of the last three games of the team and think that we have reached tremendous progress and brought our game to the level where it should be. Tonight we had the game of runs and acted pretty well defensively. We were quite good in the first half and found adequate game pace. We also pretty much controlled the second half except the end of the third quarter when we lost concentration. I am happy that we won."

UMMC player Deanna Nolan:
"We came out and played well. We were good on boards. The statistics show that our team scored twice as many rebounds than our opponent did and acted very efficiently in the three-second zone."

Perfumerias Avenida head coach Alberto Miranda:
"I would like to congratulate one of the best teams in the EuroLeague Women on its victory. We came to Ekaterinburg with a specific game plan and the team acted good and followed all the instructions according to that plan. UMMC managed to outrebound us and pick up the fast paced game the way they like. Still my players did a great job. So far we would like to focus on the national championship but also to stay competitive in the EuroLeague Women and make it to the Final Eight."

Perfumerias Avenida player Isabel Sanchez:
"We did a great job taking into account that we had to play against one of the strongest and most famous teams. We were pretty good in defense, did a lot of running and tried to use all the opportunities and fast breaks. In the last quarter it hit us. Even though we lost by 32 points I think we did well and now we have to focus on the other upcoming games to face the opponents that we are capable to beat."

Quotes UMMC Ekaterinburg vs. Perfumerias Avenida Salamanca

UMMC head coach Olaf Lange:
"I am satisfied with the results of the last three games of the team and think that we have reached tremendous progress and brought our game to the level where it should be. Tonight we had the game of runs and acted pretty well defensively. We were quite good in the first half and found adequate game pace. We also pretty much controlled the second half except the end of the third quarter when we lost concentration. I am happy that we won."

UMMC player Deanna Nolan:
"We came out and played well. We were good on boards. The statistics show that our team scored twice as many rebounds than our opponent did and acted very efficiently in the three-second zone."

Perfumerias Avenida head coach Alberto Miranda:
"I would like to congratulate one of the best teams in the EuroLeague Women on its victory. We came to Ekaterinburg with a specific game plan and the team acted good and followed all the instructions according to that plan. UMMC managed to outrebound us and pick up the fast paced game the way they like. Still my players did a great job. So far we would like to focus on the national championship but also to stay competitive in the EuroLeague Women and make it to the Final Eight."

Perfumerias Avenida player Isabel Sanchez:
"We did a great job taking into account that we had to play against one of the strongest and most famous teams. We were pretty good in defense, did a lot of running and tried to use all the opportunities and fast breaks. In the last quarter it hit us. Even though we lost by 32 points I think we did well and now we have to focus on the other upcoming games to face the opponents that we are capable to beat."