Two major lapses, one at the start of the second quarter and another throughout almost the entire final period, came close to condemning the Zaragoza side, who relied on their outstanding first quarter and particular resilience to turn the game around just as it was beginning to burn. Hempe, with 26 points, Sheppard, with 18 more, and Mariona Ortiz, with an impressive 15 assists, kept Casademont alive as they won only the first-quarter and overtime periods.
In this way, and in the most epic fashion possible, the Aragonese side secured a crucial first victory for their EuroLeague campaign, one that will fill them with confidence for the rest of a first round in which their next game will be in Greece next Wednesday against a battered Athinaikos, who were thrashed by Lithuania's Kibirkstis on the opening day of European competition.
THE GAME
Fully aware that every game is worth its weight in gold in Europe's top competition, Casademont began a new continental campaign with the aim of securing an opening victory that could ultimately prove decisive. To that end, Carlos Cantero opted to start with a lineup consisting of Mariona Ortiz, Aisha Sheppard, Veronika Vorackova, Nadia Fingall and Merritt Hempe.
As expected, the game began with both teams evenly matched and maintaining a similar pace. Two three-pointers by the red-clad side were answered by eight points from Trinity San Antonio, after which Casademont and Landes traded a succession of baskets that kept the score close. Even so, an improvement in Cantero's team's defensive performance allowed the Aragonese side, who were highly accurate in attack and from three-point range at 4-for-7, to put together a 13-2 run and end the quarter ahead, with Sheppard (eight points), Hempe (seven points) and Mariona (six assists in six minutes) as the main protagonists (25-14).
Mariona and Hempe were Casademont's best players in the first half. Photo: FIBA
Even so, the return to the court highlighted the difficulty of the EuroLeague and, above all, the French side's ability to recover and compete. Landes, playing the team-oriented basketball they are accustomed to, produced a substantial 0-14 run during the first five minutes of the quarter, as Carlos Cantero's team, unable to score a single basket, completely lost its way on both offense and defense.
However, after the second timeout called by the red-clad coach to try to halt the French onslaught, the Aragonese club managed to react and close the second period with a favorable run thanks to the notable and well-coordinated connection between Mariona and Hempe. The red-clad captain, who was putting on a passing clinic, reached nine assists after finding a Macedonian center several times. She scored 14 points to allow the club to end the first half with renewed positive feelings and ahead on the scoreboard (38-34).
EVERYTHING STILL TO PLAY FOR
After halftime, the French team started slightly better and took a brief lead that disappeared again thanks to the combinations between Mariona and Hempe, as well as Sheppard, who together with the center was the red-clad side's main scoring threat. Even so, the French side, as they had shown throughout the game, refused to give up and squandered several attacks that could have put them back ahead in a tightly contested game that entered its final 10 minutes with everything still to play for (57-54).
Hempe and Sheppard were Casademont's leading scorers. Photo: FIBA
In the decisive quarter, Casademont did not allow the French side to score for three minutes thanks to intense defense and, with two baskets from Brito and another from Sheppard, who was heavily involved at both ends of the court, extended their lead. Even so, Cantero's team suffered another lapse and Landes, who were winning the battle on the boards, responded with a 0-7 run that forced Cantero to stop the game as the French team tied the score with four minutes remaining.
Despite the stoppage, the Aragonese side, who turned the ball over repeatedly, remained stuck offensively, while Landes found another seven points to enter the final stages with a substantial lead. Even so, during the Pilar festivities, such an important time in Zaragoza, Casademont took advantage of several glaring French errors to miraculously tie the game thanks to a three-pointer from Bankole, a layup by Mariona and two free throws from a composed Hempe, sending the game to overtime (68-68).
MAXIMUM TENSION
In overtime, the game continued in its usual vein. The balance remained intact during an extra period in which Hempe, with six points, and Sheppard, with two more, carried the red-clad side, who reached the final minute one point ahead. Landes therefore had the final possession but failed to capitalize, allowing Casademont to claim victory in a crazy game they had appeared to have lost in the closing stages of the fourth quarter (76-75).
GAME DETAILS
Casademont Zaragoza (76): Mariona Ortiz (8), Aisha Sheppard (18), Veronika Vorackova (2), Nadia Fingall (5) and Merritt Hempe (26) - starting lineup. Helena Oma (-), Ornella Bankolé (5), Laia Flores (7), Yarden Garzon (-), Kristine Vitola (-), Nerea Hermosa (3) and Carla Brito (2).
Basket Landes (75): Trinity San Antonio (23), Marie Pardon (-), Murjanatu Musa (10), Mariama Daramy (6) and Becky Massey (5) - starting lineup. Sophia Elenga (4), Emma Peytour (-), Camille Droguet (11), Sixtine Macquet (8) and Aleksa Gulbe (8).
Quarters: 25-14 / 13-20 / 19-20 / 11-14 / 8-7.
Officials: Ozlem Yalman, Sara Mansson and Primoz Pipan.
Venue: Women's EuroLeague first-round opening-day game played at the Pabellón Príncipe Felipe (Zaragoza).
