Back in Action – International Update 11-21
November 21, 2017
The number if Liberty players competing overseas is now at nine with Shavonte Zellous re-joining Besiktas where she played last season. Zellous wasted no time making an impact, scoring 29 points in her season debut last week, a Besiktas victory.
All of the Liberty players resumed domestic competition following a two-week break for International Team training, meaning EuroLeague and EuroCup action resumes this week after a 3-week hiatus.
Other notable performances came from Bria Hartley, scoring 24 points in a Mersin win, Epiphanny Prince, who scored in double figures yet again with 10 points in a Dynamo Kursk victory, and Amanda Zahui B, who posted 23 points in just 27 minutes as USK Praha improved to 9-0 in the Czech League.
Looking ahead, EuroLeague and EuroCup matchups resume on Nov. 22, and there will be a head-to-head matchup between two Liberty stars this coming weekend as Zellous and Besiktas take on Hartley and Mersin.
The other game of the week features Kia Vaughn’s Fenberbahce squad, who will battle Hatay with sole possession of 1st place in the Turkish League on the line.
LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Shavonte Zellous – Besiktas
In her 1st game of the season, back with Besiktas, Shavonte Zellous stepped up and posted a monster game in a win over OGM, scoring 29 points, with three 3-pointers, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists. For her effort, she was named the EuroBasket.com Turkish Player of the Week.
REBECCA ALLEN #8 – Lyon Basket
France-LFB (3-4, Ranked T-6th)
Recent Results
Nov. 3 vs. Roche: W, 83-59 (9 pts, 4-8 FG, 1 3FG, 6 reb, 3 ast, 24 min) | BOX SCORE
Nov. 18 vs. Nice: W, 86-67 (13 pts, 6-11 FG, 1 3FG, 8 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 33 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#8 R. ALLEN (France) |
7 |
29.0 |
16 |
42 |
.381 |
7 |
26 |
.269 |
9 |
10 |
.900 |
6.1 |
2.7 |
0.6 |
1.0 |
8.9 |
With Rebecca Allen scoring in double figures, Lyon picked up its 2nd win in a row, coming out of the two-week break by defeating Nice 86-67. Allen posted 13 points, going 6-of-11 from the field in while nailing a 3-pointer. She nearly finished with a double-double, grabbing eight rebounds, and dished out 4 assists, with a steal. Over the 1st seven games of the season, Allen is averaging 8.9 ppg and 6.1 rpg. Lyon returns to action on Nov. 25 against Hainaut.
NAYO RAINCOCK-EKUNWE #4 – Nantes Reze Basket
France-LFB (3-4, Ranked T-6th)
EuroCup Group J (1-3, Ranked T-3rd)
Recent Results
Nov. 5 vs. Landes: W, 65-68 (29 pts, 10-17 FG, 15 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk, 20 min) | BOX SCORE
Nov. 19 vs. Flammes: L, 65-87 (9 pts, 4-12 FG, 8 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 35 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#4 N. RAINCOCK-EKUNWE (France) |
7 |
31.7 |
40 |
94 |
.426 |
1 |
8 |
.125 |
31 |
51 |
.608 |
12.9 |
1.3 |
1.1 |
0.4 |
16.3 |
#4 N. RAINCOCK-EKUNWE (EuroCup) |
4 |
34.3 |
20 |
37 |
.541 |
2 |
9 |
.222 |
11 |
21 |
.524 |
11.0 |
1.5 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
16.5 |
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe was uncharacteristically held under double figures in scoring and rebounding as Nantes suffered an 87-65 setback to 1st places Flammes in their first game back from the break. Raincock-Ekunwe scored 9 points and 8 rebounds with 3 assists, but was 4-of-12 from the field. She is still averaging impressive totals for the season at 16.3 ppg and 12.9 rpg, easily leading the French league on the glass. Nantes has two games this week, a EuroCup matchup against UNI Gyor and then they face Villeneuve in the French League.
AMANDA ZAHUI B #17 – USK Praha
Czech Republic-ZBL (9-0, Ranked 1st)
EuroLeague Group A (2-2, Ranked T-4th)
Recent Results
Nov 1 vs. Dynamo Kursk: L, 88-109 (21 pts, 8-15 FG, 1 3FG, 4 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk, 33 min) | BOX SCORE
Nov 18 vs. Sokol HK: W, 81-63 (23 pts, 10-17 FG, 1 3FG, 4 reb, 2 stl, 1 blk, 27 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#17 A. ZAHUI B (Czech Republic) |
9 |
23.6 |
62 |
98 |
.633 |
5 |
10 |
.500 |
45 |
50 |
.90 |
6.8 |
1.4 |
1.9 |
1.2 |
20.4 |
#17 A. ZAHUI B (EuroLeague) |
4 |
32.0 |
24 |
49 |
.490 |
4 |
13 |
.308 |
15 |
18 |
.833 |
8.5 |
1.5 |
0.8 |
1.5 |
18.8 |
Amanda Zahui B spent her break from European League play to train with the Swedish National Team and lead them to a win over Montenegro in a EuroBasket Women qualifer last week. Upon returning to Prague to play for Praha, she posted another impressive performance, scoring 23 points in just 27 minutes to lead her team to an 81-63 win over Sokol. Zahui B also had 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block in the victory. Up next, EuroLeague action resumes against Villenueve and then a Czech League game against MK Technic.
EPIPHANNY PRINCE #10 – Dynamo Kursk
Russia-PBL (6-0, Ranked 2nd)
EuroLeague Group A (4-0, Ranked 1st)
Recent Results
Nov 5 vs. Enisey: W, 90-74 (15 pts, 6-7 FG, 2 3FG, 16 min) | BOX SCORE
Nov 19 vs. Sparta&K MR: W, 95-71 (10 pts, 4-9 FG, 2 3FG, 4 reb, 4 ast, 21 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#10 E. PRINCE (Russia) |
6 |
19.3 |
13 |
26 |
.500 |
6 |
12 |
.500 |
5 |
5 |
1.000 |
2.5 |
2.3 |
0.7 |
0.0 |
8.2 |
#10 E. PRINCE (EuroLeague) |
4 |
16.5 |
7 |
13 |
.538 |
4 |
11 |
.364 |
1 |
1 |
1.000 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
0.5 |
0.0 |
6.8 |
Scoring in double figures once again, Epiphanny Prince helped guide Dynamo Kursk to a 95-71 Russian League victory over Sparta&K over the weekend. Prince netted 10 points, connecting on a pair of outside shots, in addition to recording 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Her per game averages in Russia are now 8.2 ppg with .500 shooting from the field and beyond the arc. Prince an Dynamo Kursk play twice in the upcoming week, facing Bourges in EuroLeague action and MBA in Russia.
LINDSAY ALLEN #15 – Dynamo Moscow
Russia-PBL (2-5, Ranked 10th)
EEWBL (0-3, Ranked T-14th)
Recent Results
Nov. 5 vs. Sparta&K MR: L, 68-73 (11 pts, 4-7 FG, 4 reb, 1 stl, 25 min) | BOX SCORE
Nov. 17 vs. MBA: L, 55-70 (8 pts, 4-12 FG, 6 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 25 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#15 L. ALLEN (Russia) |
7 |
29.6 |
26 |
63 |
.413 |
2 |
5 |
.400 |
22 |
28 |
.786 |
4.3 |
4.1 |
1.0 |
0.0 |
11.4 |
#15 L. ALLEN (EEWBL) |
3 |
29.3 |
7 |
15 |
.467 |
1 |
1 |
1.000 |
9 |
11 |
.818 |
3.7 |
4.0 |
1.7 |
0.3 |
8.7 |
Lindsay Allen scored 8 points with 6 rebounds and 3 assists for Dynamo Moscow, but it was not enough to guide them to a victory as they suffered a 70-55 loss to MBA in their first game back from break. Allen is averaging 11.4 ppg in addition to 4.3 rpg and 4.1 apg through the first third of the Russian regular season. Dynamo Moscow returns to action this weekend against 1st place UMMC.
BRIA HARTLEY #14 – Mersin
Turkey-KBSL (4-2, Ranked T-4th)
EuroCup Group B (3-1, T-1st)
Recent Results
Nov.4 vs. Bornova: W, 93-49 (13 pts, 5-11 FG, 2 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 15 min) | BOX SCORE
Nov.18 vs. Istanbul Uni.: W, 86-66 (24 pts, 9-27 FG, 3 3FG, 9 reb, 3 ast, 4 stl, 35 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#14 B. HARTLEY (Turkey) |
6 |
28.2 |
26 |
62 |
.419 |
13 |
36 |
.361 |
19 |
26 |
.731 |
3.3 |
3.3 |
1.8 |
0.7 |
18.3 |
#14 B. HARTLEY (EuroCup) |
4 |
29.8 |
17 |
37 |
.459 |
11 |
24 |
.458 |
18 |
22 |
.818 |
2.5 |
4.5 |
2.5 |
0.3 |
21.3 |
Bria Hartley moved up to 3rd in the Turkish League in scoring with another big game in a win for Mersin, this time scoring 24 points as her squad won its 3rd in a row and remained in a tie for 4th place in the league standings. Hartley nailed 3 3-pointers in the win with 9 rebounds, 3 rebounds, and 4 steals. In addition to her impressive scoring numbers, Hartley is averaging 3.3 rpg and 3.3 apg as well. Up next is a EuroCup group matchup with MBA then a showdown with Besiktas, now surging because of the addition of another Liberty player, Shavonte Zellous.
KIA VAUGHN #8 – Fenerbahce
Turkey-KBSL (6-0, Ranked T-1st)
EuroLeague Group B (3-1, Ranked T-1st)
Recent Results
Nov. 5 vs. Besiktas: W, 82-65 (6 pts, 2-5 FG, 3 reb, 2 ast, 4 stl, 29 min) | BOX SCORE
Nov. 18 vs. Yakin Dogu: W, 78-65 (8 pts, 4-9 FG, 10 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 35 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#8 K. VAUGHN (Turkey) |
6 |
26.5 |
31 |
50 |
.620 |
0 |
0 |
.000 |
10 |
15 |
.667 |
6.0 |
1.3 |
1.8 |
0.3 |
12.0 |
#8 K. VAUGHN (EuroLeague) |
4 |
30.0 |
12 |
29 |
.414 |
0 |
1 |
.000 |
7 |
10 |
.700 |
4.8 |
0.5 |
1.0 |
0.5 |
7.8 |
Fenerbahce handed Yakin Dogu its first loss of the season, defeating their Turkish League rival 78-65 over the weekend. Kia Vaughn ended the big game just one field goal shy of a double-double, scoring 8 points with 10 rebounds to help pace her team. Fenerbahce remains in a tie for 1st place with Hatay at 6-0, with Vaughn averaging 12.0 ppg and 6.0 rpg against domestic competition. Fenerbahce will face Avenida in EuroLeague action this week, then battle Hatay with sole possession of 1st place on the line this weekend.
KIAH STOKES #41 – Botas
Turkey-KBSL (3-3, T-6th)
Recent Results
Nov. 5 vs. Canik Beledi: W, 62-56 (10 pts, 3-5 FG, 20 reb, 1 stl, 36 min) | BOX SCORE
Nov. 18 vs. Abdullah Gul: L, 54-56 (8 pts, 4-7 FG, 13 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 3 blk, 36 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#41 K. STOKES (Turkey) |
6 |
35.3 |
37 |
60 |
.617 |
0 |
0 |
.000 |
18 |
25 |
.720 |
15.8 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
2.7 |
15.3 |
It was an uncharacteristically low scoring game for Kiah Stokes as she had 8 points and 13 rebounds for Botas in a one possession loss to Abdullah Gul over the weekend. She also blocked 3 shots in her 36 minutes of action. Botas fell to 3-3 on the year, good for 6th place in the Turkish League standings. Stokes is averaging 15.3 ppg and 15.8 rpg, ranking 2nd in the league in rebounding, and 1st in blocked shots with 2.7 per contest. Botas returns to action against Galatassaray on Nov. 25.
SHAVONTE ZELLOUS #1 – Besiktas
Turkey-KBSL (2-4, T-10th)
EuroCup Group A (1-3, T-3rd)
Recent Results
Nov. 18 vs. OGM Orman: W, 88-58 (29 pts, 3 3FG, 11 reb, 4 ast, 26 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#1 S. ZELLOUS (Turkey) |
1 |
26.0 |
5 |
9 |
.556 |
3 |
5 |
.600 |
10 |
10 |
1.000 |
11.0 |
4.0 |
0.0 |
1.0 |
29.0 |
Shavonte Zellous is back in Turkey for the 2017-18 season, re-signing with Besiktas where she played last season. Zellous made her season debut last week and immediately asserted herself with the most dominant performance in the league for the week, scoring 29 points with 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and three 3-pointers as Besiktas routed OGM Orman 88-58. They will be back in action this week as EuroCup play resumes with a must-win against Olympiacos in Group A, followed by a meeting against Bria Hartley and Mersin over the weekend.