After scoring 21 points in the first quarter, Leganés managed just 30 more for the rest of the game. That handicap allowed the Aragón side to break the game open with a well-balanced offense in which all 12 members of the red-and-black squad scored. The only negative was the scare involving Sheppard, who had to leave after injuring her ankle, with the extent of the injury still to be determined.
With this latest win, Casademont extended its flawless start to the season and continued to lead the Liga Femenina Endesa outright. The red-and-black side has won all six of its games so far, maintaining its perfect record in domestic competition.
THE GAME
At the Príncipe Felipe, which was eager to keep celebrating after the men’s team’s emphatic victory last Saturday, Casademont’s women’s side were seeking another win to keep them at the top of the league standings. Carlos Cantero therefore opted to start with a lineup featuring Mariona Ortiz, Ornella Bankolé, Yarden Garzon, Nadia Fingall and Merritt Hempe.
After the opening tip, the game began slowly, with a low tempo and both teams struggling offensively. Even so, Casademont, which scored the game’s first basket after two minutes, took the early lead thanks to points from Hempe, Fingall and Mariona. However, the low intensity of the opening stages on the Felipe court spread to a red-and-black defense that was too passive against an accurate Leganés attack. As a result, the Madrid side closed the quarter with a 2-7 run, sending Cantero’s team into the first break trailing 19-21.
Back on the court, the Aragón side stepped up its defense and, led by a stellar Vorackova, moved back in front. The Czech player scored seven points and produced several high-quality offensive plays that helped the red-and-black side settle into the game. Indeed, Cantero’s team made life very difficult for a Madrid offense that managed just 10 points in the second quarter, eventually building a double-digit lead thanks to four points from Garzon to end the first half at the Zaragoza arena ahead 41-31.
DEFENSE THE KEY
After halftime, Casademont continued to defend intensely, allowing it to keep extending its lead over the Madrid side. Three-pointers from Oma and Hempe opened the third quarter against a Madrid team struggling to find a way to hurt the Aragón side. In fact, after scoring 21 points in the first quarter, Leganés managed just 18 between the second and third quarters, a handicap that was deciding the game (59-39).
Even so, not everything was positive news for Casademont. Sheppard landed awkwardly during a defensive play and caused a scare at the Felipe. After going down on the court, the American had to leave for the locker room limping, with her ankle visibly injured in an incident whose severity remains to be determined.
Without the shooting guard in the final quarter, Casademont, with the energetic Brito and Bankolé leading the way, continued to give everything and kept applying pressure on both offense and defense. The Canary Islander scored six consecutive points to keep the lead above 20 points. The margin grew even further late in a league game that Casademont once again wrapped up with an emphatic victory (76-51).
GAME DETAILS
Casademont Zaragoza (76): Mariona Ortiz (2), Ornella Bankolé (7), Yarden Garzon (9), Nadia Fingall (8) and Merritt Hempe (10) - starting five. Aisha Sheppard (4), Veronika Vorackova (9), Laia Flores (4), Helena Oma (9), Kristine Vitola (2), Nerea Hermosa (4) and Carla Brito (8).
Innova-TSN Leganés (51): Irene Lahuerta (4), Driessen (9), Rodríguez (12), Joiner (4) and Igbowke (10) - starting five. Erjavec (2), Sahie (5), Aguilar Motta (3) and Espín de Sancho (2).
Officials: Josep María Olivares, Juan Gabriel Carpallo and Alejandro Calvo.
Quarter scores: 19-21 / 22-10 / 18-8 / 17-12.
Notes: Game corresponding to the sixth round of the Liga Femenina Endesa, played at the Pabellón Príncipe Felipe in Zaragoza.
