Div B: Slovenia finish in third place

Slovenia marked their authority right from the start of the match with a 10-0 run to open the first significant lead of the game (12-2) midway through the first period. Nika Baric and Lea Jogodic scored 9 points each as Slovenia concluded the first period (25-13) with a comfortable advantage of 12 points. A 15-0 sequence followed that was concluded by a trey by Avigiel Cohen in the second period putting her side in front for the first time in the match. The lead was to change three more times before the end of the period as both sides went on the offensive with Slovenia gaining the upper hand (41-33) at the interval.

Slovenia leading by 5 going into the final period had to endure an Israeli assault and with less than five minutes on the clock Slovenia’s advantage was down to 2 (61-59). The key moment of the match came at the end of a patient build-up by Slovenia that resulted in a 3-pointer by Polono Zalar (64-59). The game lost its fluidity after that as players collided all over the court fighting for loose balls. Tjase Gortna and Yuval Levy both picked up their 5th personal foul at this stage. Israel were not able to score the decisive basket leaving the way free for Nika Baric to do the rest from the free-throw line as Slovenia won (66-61).

Nika Baric scored 23 points and was supported by Lea Jagodic with 17 points, while Shira Ben Barak finished with 17 points for Israel.

Nika Baric said after the match, “it was not an easy match. Israel are a very good team and that we played good defence helped us to win.” Damir Grgic, Slovenia’s head coach added:” I am proud of my girls for the way they picked themselves up after yesterday’s defeat, I am very proud of them.”

Boxscore