Israel's under 21 National Team lost 68 - 75 to Ukraine and lost any real hope of making the 1/4 finals.
Israel started out well but couldn't hold on. Nusel led the way again with 20 points.
After Hungary shocked France, Israel could still make the 1/4 finals with a little more help.
Israel hit 7 threes in a strong first half but the outside shooting couldn't make up for the problem on the glass. Ukraine took the lead in the 3rd and never trailed again. Israel still had its chances but Ukraine won the battle on the boards 39 - 24 and held on.
Since Hungray beat France 73 - 70, Israel still has a chance to make the 1/4 finals if they beat France by a large margin, and Hungary beats the Ukraine. Both these games take place Sunday.
Israel 68 - Ukraine 75
Boxscore
Israel started with Shiran Zairy & Noa Ganor, who joined Chen Nusel, Meirav Dori & Katia Abramzon. Israel jumped to a quick 10 - 2 lead with threes from Nusel & Zairy, but Ukraine answered with 5 points in 40 seconds. Israel maintained the lead despite the subs in the last few minutes, 19 - 10 after 1.
Abramzon scored five quick ones and Dori added a steal and a three to make it 28 - 17 with 6:30 to go in the half. Zairy & Nusel turned it over and Ukraine made an 8 - 0 run to cut it to three. Zairy's 3rd assist found Dori for three to make it 36 - 29, but Ukraine hit some free throws and a lay up at the buzzer to make it just 32 - 36 at the half.
Nusel & Liron Asher made it 40 - 32 in 30 seconds, but Ukraine was again quick to answer with a 5 - 0 run. They went on to take their first lead at 46 - 45. Liel Ochanon woke up with 6 points in the quarter and Shahar Alterman hit two threes to keep Israel close, 55 - 58 after three.
Ukraine stayed hot from outside and took a 64 - 57 lead with 7 minutes to play. Meir Elyaho brought Nusel back and she made a three point play and a layup to cut it to just 62 - 64, five minutes left, timeout Ukraine. They came back to hit two more threes to make it 70 -62, and Israel got no closer than six the rest of the way.
For Israel:
Chen Nusel 20 pts
Meirav Dori 15 pt
Katia Abramzon 11 pts, 4 rebs
Liel Ochanon & Shahar Alterman 6 pts each
Shiran Zairy 5 pts, 5 rebs, 5 ast, 5 stl
Bat El Lazmi 3 pts
Liron Ashed 2 pts, 4 rebs
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Shiran Zairy
Photo by fibaeurope.com |