The outcome already seemed written and irreversible. Casademont had completely lost control of the game during a final quarter in which it went more than six minutes without scoring, while the French side appeared to have the victory practically secured. Even so, several major errors by Landes in the closing stages opened a door that the Aragonese side did not waste. With the clock against them, the red-and-black team showed its trademark fighting spirit, clinging to its chances and stringing together the necessary plays to take the game to overtime, something that had seemed practically impossible.
After a timeout called by Carlos Cantero when Landes had taken a seven-point lead, Bankole struck first with a precise three-pointer from the corner that restored hope at the Príncipe Felipe. The basket allowed Casademont to keep believing and put pressure on Landes, which began to lose the confidence it had shown for much of the final quarter. After two missed shots by the French side, Mariona Ortiz found a gap amid the confusion in the French defense and scored a layup that brought the red-and-black team within two points with 12 seconds left before the final buzzer.
Mariona brought Casademont within two points with a layup. Photo: FIBA
Then, inexplicably, Musa threw a poor pass that went into the stands, giving the Aragonese side the chance to tie or even win the game. After drawing up a play during the timeout, the responsibility fell to Merritt Hempe. The center, one of the game's standout players, went to the free-throw line without hesitation and made both shots to tie the game at 68. Casademont had therefore achieved what had seemed impossible just seconds earlier: erasing a seven-point deficit and forcing overtime thanks to a finish full of belief, fighting spirit and errors by its opponent.
HEMPE, DECISIVE
The extra period maintained the tension and balance until the end, but Casademont once again found a decisive leader in Hempe. The center scored five of the red-and-black team's eight points in overtime and carried the team again when it needed her most. After Fingall made one final free throw, Landes had one last possession to try to win the game, but failed to capitalize on it, and the Aragonese side sealed a 76-75 victory worth far more than a win on the opening day of European competition.
