SPAR DOES ITS HOMEWORK IN MADRID BEFORE THE FIBA ​​STOPPING

Spar Girona | Friday, 31 January 2025

Impeccable victory for Spar Girona on the Movistar Estudiantes court. The Girona team accelerated from the start, dominating the match from start to finish to end up winning by 67 to 87. Migna Touré, with 22 points and key to definitively breaking the game in the third quarter, and Chloe Bibby, with 21 points, were the top scorers for Uni. With this triumph, Roberto Íñiguez’s team achieved its sixteenth success in the LF Endesa.

9/10 in field goals in 4:20

The Girona team came out with determination and escaped from the start thanks to their speed and accuracy. In fact, they did not miss the first shot until there were 4:20 left in the period. This dominance allowed a 4-10 run in just two minutes, with points from Bibby, Touré, Caldwell (2) and Lundquist. Although, after a timeout, Estudiantes was only two points behind with baskets from Whittle and a 2+1 from Salvadores (9-11), a three-pointer from Chloe, a penetration by Touré and an individual action by Bibby extended the difference to nine points (9-18). Despite the advantage, the defensive solidity of Spar allowed Uni to attack in transition, with Lundquist extending the lead even further. The Madrid team tried to get closer from the perimeter, but Bibby’s success from the three-point line and a two-pointer by Guerrero established Girona’s +13 (12-25). In the final moments of the quarter, Movistar managed to close the gap to nine points with baskets by Latorre and Buhner (17-26).

Local reaction

With the change of quarter, Spar Girona used its arsenal to attack from long range, extending the advantage with points from Bibby and Caldwell (24-32). Despite the blunder on both ends of the court, Maya’s intensity in the fight for the rebound and the speed in the transitions allowed Lundquist to score at will (24-34). Shortly after, Pierre-Louis captured an offensive rebound and placed +12 on the scoreboard (24-36). After a local timeout, Estudiantes made a play that was completed by Buhner, but Maya immediately responded with a three-pointer (27-39). Touré scored a rebound to establish the maximum difference of the match (27-41), but Salvadores’ free throws and Banaszak’s basket shortened the distances (31-41). With Roberto’s timeout, Spar looked for a well-worked action that Pierre-Louis finished with a basket (31-43). However, Estudiantes reacted with a three-pointer from Buhner and two consecutive baskets from Whittle, closing the gap and igniting the game. The last minute before the break was frantic, with rapid exchanges of possession. When it seemed that the Madrid team could get even closer, Lundquist took advantage of his own rebound to maintain Girona’s advantage at halftime (38-47).

The Toure show

Migna Touré’s offensive recital in the third quarter. The Frenchwoman did what she wanted on the court, punishing all the spaces left by Movistar Estudiantes and helping Spar to widen their lead (18 points from Touré, 43-63). Although Salvadores responded with determination after the local timeout, scoring prestigious baskets, Bibby’s triple and the final points from Lundquist and Pierre-Louis allowed Uni to close the third quarter with a clear 48-71.

Improvement of the Estu

With a big difference in the score, the Girona team slowed down, which Movistar Estudiantes took advantage of to close the gap, highlighting the points of Salvadores and Buhner (21 and 16 points respectively, 56-74). Shortly after, a tackle by Juana and a recovery by the same player put the Madrid team at just 15 points (61-76). But when Estudiantes seemed to be taking control, Uni’s response was quick and forceful. A 2+1 by Bibby, a tackle by Touré and free throws by Lundquist allowed Spar Girona to widen the gap again (61-83). With a bonus, Estudiantes scored the last points from the free throw line, but Spar Girona ended up winning by 67 to 87.