Sue Bird Returns to EuroLeague Action

Jan. 24, 2013

Sue Bird Returns, Makes Immediate Impact
Not that UMMC Ekaterinburg (10-0) was lacking in star power, but with the addition of three-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird, the Russian club made a major improvement heading down the stretch and looking to the EuroLeague and Russia League playoffs. Bird scored just five points, but dished out 10 assists, grabbed eight boards and added three steals and a blocked shot to help Ekat make it a perfect 10-0 in EuroLeague action after dispatching USO Mondeville (4-6) 79-58.

With Diana Taurasi, who contributed five points, six rebounds and three assists, having an off shooting night (2-11 FGs), and Candace Parker sitting out due to only two non-Europeans allowed to play in EuroLeague games, France’s Sandrine Gruda and Poland’s Ewelina Kobrin stepped up to fill the void with 20 and 19 points, respectively.

Charles Remains EuroLeague Scoring, Rebounding Leader
Tina Charles, a 2010 FIBA World Championship and 2012 Olympic gold medalist, and reigning WNBA MVP, continues to reign above all scorers and rebounders in EuroLeague games this season. Averaging 25.8 ppg. and 12.3 rpg., Charles is well ahead of the next scorer, Jelena Milovanovic (18.5 ppg.) and the second-ranked rebounder, DeWanna Bonner (10.7 rpg.).

Augustus, Dupree Lead Spartak Over Charles’ Wisla Can-Pack Squad
Despite a 22-point, seven-rebound performance from EuroLeague scoring and rebounding leader Tina Charles, four-time champion Spartak (9-2) had too much firepower and defeated Wisla Can-Pack (5-5) 89-63. Spartak, which had five players score in double digits in its well-rounded effort, received 14 points from Candice Dupree and 10 from Seimone Augustus; while Can-Pack’s only other double-digit scorer was Anke DeMondt with 11 points as Alana Beard, who averaged a team second-best 14.2 ppg. in six EuroLeague games this season, did not play.   

"In my opinion the fact that we played very good defense was the key to defeating Krakow, which we all know is a very good team,” Dupree was quoted by FIBAEurope.com. “At the same time our strong offensive effort helped us reach this desired result. But what I have to point out is that we had a balanced attack and that can be seen by the fact that we had five players scoring double digits."

Milton-Jones Helps Lead Tarsus to Second Victory
Two-time Olympic gold medalist DeLisha Milton-Jones posted a double-double lf 24 points and 11 rebounds to help propel Tarsus (2-8) to its second EuroLeague victory of the season with an 81-70 defeat of the visiting Uni Gyor (5-6). Turkey’s Melisa Can also notched a double-double with 24 points and 12 boards for Tarsus. Australia’s Natalie Hurst was Gyor’s top player with 26 points, 11 boards, five assists and two steals.

Ogwumike Continues Impressive Rookie Campaign
Nnemkadi Ogwumike again led the way for CCC Polkowice (5-6), this time with 21 points and nine boards, as her Polish club eclipsed Novi Zagreb (1-9) in Croatia 76-55. Trailing 32-28 at halftime, CCC turned things around in the second half. Ogwumike got her team started with a 3-pointer 15 seconds into the third quarter. That set the tone for her squad, which moved ahead for good, 33-32, at 9:14. By the end of the third quarter CCC established a 15-point, 58-43, lead. Outscoring host Zagreb 18-12 in the fourth period, CCC returned to Poland with another victory.

Whalen Helps Gala to Victory
In a game that featured a combined 46 turnovers, Lindsay Whalen came up with 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists and just two miscues, in leading Galatasaray (9-2) to a 68-56 victory over the visiting Perfumerias Avenida (3-7). Owning a 31-26 edge at halftime, Gala allowed Perfumerias to close to 33-31 early in the third period before pulling away with six unanswered points. Gala continued to distance themselves and closed the third quarter up 54-38. Avenida cut the gap by four points in the fourth quarter, but the damage had been done. Also aiding in the win was Sylvia Fowles, who picked up 10 points and five rebounds. 

Fenerbache Aided to Win by McCoughtry’s Double-Double
Playing at home, Fenerbache (8-2) seemed to look past Arras (1-9) and it almost came back to haunt them. If not for a 21-12 second quarter, Fener might have handed Arras its second victory of the season. As it turned out, behind Angel McCoughtry’s 17 points and 12 rebounds, Fener was able to hold off Arras for a six-point, 81-75, victory.

In Other Games …
In the EuroLeague Game of the Week, which is streamed live online, Rivas Ecopolis (6-4) eased past BK IMOS Brno (2-8) 67-50, clinching a playoff spot, while eliminating Brno from the next round. Spain’s Anna Cruz led the way for the 2012 EuroLeague runners-up with 21 points and five steals … Receiving 10 points, six rebounds and three assists from Shenise Johnson, UE Sopron (3-8) kept its playoff hopes alive with a 65-57 win over Municipal Targoviste (3-7) … Despite a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds from Jantel Lavendar, Famila Schio (7-4) dropped a 78-67 home contest to Good Angels Kosice (8-2). Plenette Pierson led the charge for Schio with 21 points and nine boards.

2012-13 EuroLeague Standings: Week 12