Ekat Throw Defensive Blanket Over Gala

Diana Taurasi led the way for UMMC with 17 points

UMMC Ekaterinburg reacted to last week's shock loss in EuroLeague Women Group C by flexing their muscles in a big way with a 61-45 defensive lockdown of fellow title contenders Galatasaray.

Playing their final game before they host the Final Eight in March, the Russian side bounced straight back from their eye-opening defeat at Perfumerias Avenida by completing a season double over their Turkish opponents.

Although Ekaterinburg certainly didn't have it all their own way, especially during the first half when they found it tough going offensively under the hoop.

The visitors managed to establish a useful 20-13 lead early in the second quarter, although a three-ball by Anna Petrakova helped keep the deficit manageable for the home side.

Galatasaray then moved 28-20 ahead after a score by Alba Torrens, but a 13-4 run by Ekat either side of the interval swung the momentum the way of the hosts as Diana Taurasi handed them the lead.

They never looked back, managing to limit Galatasaray to just nine points in the third quarter and then going on to do even better during the last ten minutes, when they strangled the life out of the Gala offence to hold them to a meagre eight points.

Taurasi starred for Ekat against her former club with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists, whilst Petrakova landed three scores from downtown for an efficient cameo of 13 points.

Silvia Fowles and Sancho Lyttle shared 22 points and 12 rebounds in defeat.

Quotes UMMC Ekaterinburg vs. Galatasaray

Galatasaray head coach Ekrem Memnun:
"It was a hard game. We did well in the first half, but UMMC is a strong team of talented players. They were much better than us and were able to execute their talent. We planned to show a better game and didn't expect to lose the way we did. I hope we will be able to meet once again in the play-offs."

Galatasaray player Alba Torrens:
"It was a good game and we had a lot of good moments. UMMC was also good playing in defense and in the second half we missed easy shots. We took the shots but could not make them. W hope we will learn the lesson and now we wait for the second round."

UMMC head coach Olaf Lange:
"Tonight it was a typical late EuroLeague Women's game just before the final play-offs. In the first half both sides scored few points. This time Gala changed their game schemes and field combinations and we had to adjust, but I am proud that UMMC was able to answer this challenge. In the second part the bench players scored about 20 points. It was very critical for us to find the way to respond to this challenge after the defeat we faced in Salamanca."

UMMC player Anna Petrakova:
"I am glad the way the game ended especially taking into account that all the team took part in winning the game. I had an opportunity to take part in it and felt that the team needed me. Some of our players are injured and we have few tall players. In the first half we were suffering losses and had a hard time scoring, but it was just a warm-up. In the second half we helped and supported each other and were able to shift from defense to offensive game style."

Quotes UMMC Ekaterinburg vs. Galatasaray

Galatasaray head coach Ekrem Memnun:
"It was a hard game. We did well in the first half, but UMMC is a strong team of talented players. They were much better than us and were able to execute their talent. We planned to show a better game and didn't expect to lose the way we did. I hope we will be able to meet once again in the play-offs."

Galatasaray player Alba Torrens:
"It was a good game and we had a lot of good moments. UMMC was also good playing in defense and in the second half we missed easy shots. We took the shots but could not make them. W hope we will learn the lesson and now we wait for the second round."

UMMC head coach Olaf Lange:
"Tonight it was a typical late EuroLeague Women's game just before the final play-offs. In the first half both sides scored few points. This time Gala changed their game schemes and field combinations and we had to adjust, but I am proud that UMMC was able to answer this challenge. In the second part the bench players scored about 20 points. It was very critical for us to find the way to respond to this challenge after the defeat we faced in Salamanca."

UMMC player Anna Petrakova:
"I am glad the way the game ended especially taking into account that all the team took part in winning the game. I had an opportunity to take part in it and felt that the team needed me. Some of our players are injured and we have few tall players. In the first half we were suffering losses and had a hard time scoring, but it was just a warm-up. In the second half we helped and supported each other and were able to shift from defense to offensive game style."