Israel defeated Poland 77-61 in the first game of the 9-16 classification games. Merav Dori was the top scorer with 16 points. Israel faces Latvia tomorrow.
Chen Nusel, Israel's leading scorer in the tournament through the first three games, got into early foul trouble and finished with just 3 points (1/7 FGs) but the Israeli team had it's best game of the tournament. Merav Dori had a great 1st half, Shahar Alterman came off the bench to hit 4 threes and Shiran Zairy dished out 7 assists as Israel dominated the game from the 2nd quarter. Israel actually outrebounded Poland 36 - 32, and held the Poles to 9 points in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters.
Israel plays the Chzec Republic next and Latvia on Thursday. The teams that finish 1st & 2nd in the 4 group bracket will move on to play for the 9-12 spots while the teams who finish 3rd & 4th will play for the 13-16 spots.
Poland 61 - Israel 77
Boxscore
Israel started with Zairy, Nusel, Dori, Liel Ochanon & Liron Asher. Noa Ganor replaced Nusel and her two fouls two minutes into the game. Dori scored 10 points in the quarter including the last basket that put Israel up 21-19 after they lost a 6 point lead.
Israel went on a 12-0 run to start the 2nd quarter. Bat El Lazmi found Alterman for two 3s, and hit a layup to make it 31-19 with 6 minutes left in the half. Israel stayed ahead with a 3 by Zairy and a dish from her to Asher. The score was 39-28 at the break. Dori led Israel with 12 points, the Poles had just 1 offensive rebound in 20 minutes.
Israel scored 9 straight to start the 3rd, 5 points from Zairy and 4 by Ochanon. The lead grew to 63-37 after 3. In the 4th the teams traded baskets for a while and Israel led 70-45 with 6 minutes left. The Poles did some damage control and cut into the lead in the final minutes.
For Israel:
Merav Dori 16 pts
Shiran Zairy 12 pts, 7 ast
Shahar Alterman 12 pts
Liron Asher 11 pts, 7 rebs
Liel Ochanon 10 pts
Bat-El Lazmi, Noa Ganor & Chen Nusel 3 pts each
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Merav Dori
Photo by: fibaeurope.com |