EuroLeague Semifinals
The last four teams standing headed to Mersin for the weekend to crown the continental champion. The first semifinal on Friday was excellent with Valeriane Vukosavljevic helping USK Praha build a lead in the first half, but Villeneuve-d’Ascq roared back in the second half on their way to an 84-78 win and a spot in the championship that was definitely not expected before the season. The other game was between teams that have recently played against each other twice, but the difference between Turkish and FIBA Europe rules meant that completely different lineups were possible. Kayla McBride and Fenerbahce looked ready to defend their crown, but Stephanie Mavunga, one of many players who has been left out of the domestic matchups, and Cukurova had their home fans behind them, making a late surge to try to get the upset before falling short 89-80. The teams will finish the tournament on Sunday and then the Turkish clubs will meet again in the league finals.
https://www.fiba.basketball/euroleaguewomen/23-24/game/1204/Villeneuve-d-Ascq-LM-ZVVZ-USK-Praha#|tab=boxscore
Villeneuve-d’Ascq [84]: Smalls 18/6r/7a Salaun 15/7r Diaby 14/9r Zellous 11 Burke 6 Mununga 2
USK Praha [78]: Vukosavljevic 24/6r Vyoralova 13 Sabally 12 Conde 8/6r/6a Magbegor 6/6r Cazorla 6/8a Vorackova 5 Hof 4
https://www.fiba.basketball/euroleaguewomen/23-24/game/1204/Fenerbahce-Alagoz-Holding-Cukurova-Basketbol-Mersin#|tab=boxscore
Fenerbahce [89]: McBride 25/6r Meesseman 17/6a Milic 15/11r Collier 12/6r Anderson 10/6a Uzun 0 Laksa 0
Cukurova [80]: Mavunga 20/8r Copper 19/6r Epoupa 13/7a Mabrey 12/8a Hollingsworth 11 Kiss 3 Cornelius 0
Hungarian League Consolation Bracket
After a neatly organized first round, the playoffs in Hungary have been affected by an attempt to qualify for the Olympics in the 3×3 format. One series in the consolation bracket started on Friday with Sydney Wallace and Madi Williams leading PEAC to an easy win over BEAC.
https://hunbasket.hu/merkozes/x2324/whun_ply/whun_ply_68772
PEAC [102]: Wallace 25 M. Williams 21/6r Weninger 12/6r P. Williams 8/6a
BEAC [57]: Morgan 12 Angyal 10
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