Venue: UEA Sportspark
Date: 19th April 2010
Competition: NBBA Women’s Division One
UEA Team:
E Christoforou
B Rochfalusiova
N Ozgun
J Gordon
A Anas
S Ramma
S Christianson
A Bultereys
N Lucioni
S Nafria Anciso
V Buth
C Wheatman
Match Report: With the visitors coming into the game knowing that a win would give them the league title, UEA had the chance the influence the final standings, even though their own position was already decided due to an uncharacteristically poor start to the season. It was UEA that came out as aggressors and raced to a 10-2 lead in the first quarter. Some sloppy turnovers allowed Koi Joy to get back into the game and it was the away team that led 11-10 after the first quarter.
The second quarter was better from UEA as they utilised their now-familiar 1-3-1 offensive attack to punish Koi Joy’s slow rotations. After the visitors switched to a 3-2 zone to combat the threat from outside, UEA reverted to a 4-low strategy and were able to get the ball behind the defense, leading to more baskets. UEA led by 13 going into halftime. The third quarter started with more of the same, however as the quarter progressed Koi Joy slowly pulled back into the game. Eveliina Christoforou took an inbounds pass with 2.7 seconds on the clock and banked in a long two-pointer to put UEA’s lead at 8 going into the final period.
Koi Joy were beginning to get some momentum going in the 4th quarter and were able to get into the paint and to the line. Some well-structured but ultimately fruitless UEA offense further allowed the visitors to close the gap and the teams traded baskets (and the lead) for the final two minutes of regulation. Poor free-throw shooting let Koi Joy down with several key misses in the last few minutes, and UEA nearly took advantage as the 4th quarter came to a close. The home squad secured the rebound with the game tied and 10 seconds on the clock. They were able to get a shot off but Koi Joy grabbed the rebound and sprinted the length of the court, the league title in their sights, however an attempted layup at the buzzer bounced harmlessly off the rim and the game was destined for overtime. UEA managed to find some reserves in their tank and the teams again traded baskets in the OT period. With 15 seconds to go and the game tied at 61, Bozena Rochfalusiova attacked the paint and put up a shot that rebounded kindly to Nicole Ozgun who hit a short jumper to put the home team up. Koi Joy raced down the court with only 8 seconds remaining to salvage their title chase but were unable to get a decent shot off as UEA dug deep to get a final defensive stop.
There were jubilant scenes at the final buzzer as UEA celebrated their hard-fought victory and completed a strong comeback in the second half of the season, going 6-1 after a disappointing 1-4 start. The game also marked the end of several players’ UEA careers. Eveliina Christoforou played her last competitive game for the Panthers after 4 years of outstanding service. Nicole Ozgun finished her presidential year with a victory after spending 3 years with the club. Bozena Rochfalusiova leaves the team after just 1 year, having contributed a considerable amount as a permanent fixture in the starting lineup, and Sonia Nafria Anciso goes back to Spain after her 1 year with the team playing solid backup at the point guard position while showing great dedication and commitment to the team.
