Spar Girona is through to the semi-finals of the Copa de la Reina after overcoming a tough Lointek Gernika in a high-intensity game full of momentum shifts. The Girona side had to battle against a strong and physical opponent that kept the match close until the very last second. With a brilliant second-half comeback led by Bibby, Tour\u00e9, and Lundquist, Uni managed to turn the game around and secure victory in a thrilling finish (71-68).<\/p>
Lointek Gernika started strong, surprising Spar Girona early on with solid defense that extended the hosts’ possessions. Taking advantage of this, the Basque team pulled ahead (2-6). However, Spar Girona, struggling from beyond the arc, gradually found a rhythm with a more aggressive approach. Bibby used her physicality to take control, scoring eight straight points under the basket (12-9). Chery tied the game with a long-range shot, but Bibby, reaching her tenth point of the night, restored Uni\u2019s lead (14-12). Irati responded for Gernika, and Hristova hit Spar Girona\u2019s first three-pointer (17-14). However, Irati, just before the buzzer, leveled the score at the end of the first quarter (17-17).<\/p>
Once again, Lointek Gernika built a cushion thanks to their strong inside game and free throws (20-26). However, Spar Girona\u2019s response came quickly, as Sandra Ygueravide hit back-to-back three-pointers, bringing her team within two points (26-28). With improved defensive play, Girona tied the game with a drive from Ainhoa, forcing Lucas to call a timeout (28-28). Gernika reacted with a 7-0 run to regain control (28-35). Sargatal countered with a timeout, but Fam\u2019s dominance inside the paint kept the Basque team ahead (30-41). After a basket from Mack (32-41), Lucas called another timeout to set up a final play before halftime, but Olaeta missed from deep. On the other end, Tour\u00e9 capitalized with a three-pointer, but Fam responded at the buzzer, keeping Gernika in front at the break (35-43).<\/p>
After halftime, Dodson took the spotlight for the visitors, while Gernika tried to slow Uni\u2019s comeback with fouls. However, a 2+1 play by Mack cut the deficit to five (42-47). Despite being in the bonus, Gernika capitalized on Chery, Olaeta, and Irati\u2019s scoring to extend their lead to a game-high 11 points (45-56). But Bibby ignited Girona\u2019s response, scoring a 2+1 and a basket inside (50-56). Despite a timeout from Lointek, Girona\u2019s full-court pressure paid off, and Tate finished a key play (52-56). Dodson added a free throw, but Uni kept pushing, with Bibby staying on target. Soon after, Lundquist tied the game with a 2+1, and in the last play of the quarter, she hit two free throws to put Spar Girona ahead (59-57).<\/p>
With nerves running high, Chery nailed a three-pointer to give Gernika the lead again (59-60). Uni then missed three consecutive attempts under the basket but regained control with a Mack layup (61-60). As the game remained tight, Klara hit a three-pointer, but Westerik responded with a drive (64-63). That\u2019s when Tour\u00e9 stepped up at a crucial moment, sinking a three-pointer and finishing a strong drive to extend Girona\u2019s lead (69-63). Lucas called a timeout, and despite mistakes from both teams, a foul on Tate and Uni\u2019s bonus sent Westerik to the free-throw line (69-64). Errors continued until Dodson cut the deficit with a layup (69-66). With 2:06 left, the referees called the first foul of the quarter on Gernika, and Tate made both free throws (71-66). With tension at its peak and nerves affecting both teams, Awa Fam scored a crucial basket with 43.9 seconds remaining, prompting Sargatal to call a timeout (71-68). Gernika used up their fouls, and in Uni\u2019s last possession, Mack missed a mid-range shot. Almost at the buzzer, Olaeta had a chance to send the game into overtime, but her shot didn\u2019t fall, sealing Spar Girona\u2019s victory and their spot in the Copa de la Reina semi-finals.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Spar Girona is through to the semi-finals of the Copa de la Reina after overcoming a tough Lointek Gernika in a high-intensity game full of momentum shifts. The Girona side had to battle against a strong and physical opponent that kept the match close until the very last second. With a brilliant second-half comeback led […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":43373,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[542],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lf-endesa"],"yoast_head":"\n