Underdog Slovakia Gives Latvia First Defeat

SLOVAKIA 78 - LATVIA 69

Latvia came out strong as usual and made a 11-2 run with  8 of the 9 first points coming from Anete Jekabsone Zogota, leading to Pokey Chatman's time out due to the offensive storm after which they reacted making a 13-4 pts run , only allowing Latvia four points in 6 minutes with a solid work on defense, and tied the score 15-15 with 23 seconds remaining before Aija Putnina scored two late free throws  to end the first with Latvia ahead Ainars Zvirgzdins 17-15.

The second repeated the first. Ieva Tare started the quarter and a 6-0 run capped by Zane Tamane making it 23-15 after 1:30. Zuzana Zirkova made it 17-23 to cut the drought. Latvia switched to zone 2-3 in the first half of the second, shutting off Slovakia. Jana Carnoka hit two freebies to make it 23-19 and then Zane Tamane started a 9-0 run capped by a Anete Jekabsone Zogota's three pointer, making it 32-19 in the interval with 4:20 for the break. Lucia Kuipcikova broke the run then and after Regina Palusna made it 23-32, Zvirgzdins called time out with 3:30 remaining. Slovakia comeback again, shutting off Latvia and making an 11-0 run to put them into two points 30-32 with 2:50 remaining. Jekabsone and Basko gave some fresh air to Latvia by scoring back to back three pointers to make it 30-36 before Lucia Kucikova made it 32-36 at the break.

Slovakia came back strong from locker rooms with renewed energy and Faith and in the first three minutes and a half made a 12-4 run started by Romana Vynuchalova and capped by Martina Gyurcsi who scored 7 pts in the spurt to make it 44-40 and turning the score upside down again beginning then the trading. Chatman switched again the zone defense in the third causing troubles to Latvia offense and scoring some four points actions to increase their lead that reached the 11 points after back to back baskets from Vynuchalova and Gyurcsi making it 61-50 just before Gunta Basko beat the buzzer with a three to enter the last 61-53.

Chatman shared zone and individual defense on the court. After two minutes where none of the teams scored a field goal Zuzana Zirkova scored back to back baskets to start a 9-0 run capped by herself and making it 70-54 -their biggest lead- not allowing Latvia to score almost the first six minutes until Ieva Tare hit the three with 4:10 remaining to make it 70-57. Then Latvia closed the gap in the ensuing Trading. After scoring five straight points - a three point play from Tare and two freebies from Dita Krumberga - making it 75-67 with 1:08 remaining, living Latvia a last hope which Romana Vynuchalova took from on the ensuring possession making it 77-67 for Slovakia and icing the game with 48 seconds remaining. Martina Gyurcsi closed the scoreline 78-69.

Zuzana Zirkova had 24 pts and Martina Gyurcsi 17 for Slovakia, which outrebounded Latvia 42-35.

Anete Jekabsone Zogota had 20 pts and 4 assists, Gunta Basko added 14 pts and 7 boards, Ieva Tare scored 11 pts and Zane Tamane 10. Latvia turned the ball over 21 times for 15 from Slovakia