Mariona’s performance grew from the opening tip. The Catalan point guard handed out six assists in the first quarter and reached nine by halftime before finishing the game with the spectacular total of 15. With that figure, the captain ties the third-best assist mark in a game in the modern era of the EuroLeague, matching Morgan Green, who also recorded 15 in 2023. Only Ilona Korstin, with 21, and Courtney Vandersloot, with 16, rank ahead of her.
Many of those passes found Merritt Hempe, who once again turned her connection with the captain into one of Casademont’s biggest weapons. The forward finished with 26 points, her best scoring performance in a Casademont jersey, and led all scorers in the game. Her numbers also reflected her impact: she made nine of 14 field-goal attempts, including two three-pointers, converted six of eight free throws and posted a valuation of 22.
Mariona enters the EuroLeague history books. Photo: FIBA
HEMPE’S IMPACT
Beyond her numbers, Hempe stepped up when the team needed her most. With Casademont seven points down with 43 seconds remaining, the center, who had played a key role throughout the game, made the two free throws that tied the score at 68 and forced overtime. In the extra period, the center once again took responsibility and scored five of Casademont’s eight points, making a decisive contribution to securing the Aragonese team’s 76-75 victory.
