Liberty Shine Heading into the Holidays – International Update 12-19
December 19, 2017
Approaching the holidays Liberty players continue to post big numbers overseas and rack up big wins in key games.
There was one head-to-head meeting this week between Liberty players as Kiah Stokes and Botas edged Bria Hartley and Mersin 87-80 in overtime. Stokes scored 14 points with 20 rebounds in the win, while Hartley posted 32 points for Mersin.
While Hartley and her team fell short in their Turkish League game, they easily beat MBA on the road in the 1st leg of their EuroCup playoff series, and are now well positioned to advance to the next round, hosting game two on Dec. 21.
Epiphanny Prince and Dynamo Kursk remain unbeaten so far this season, and won their first meeting of the season with reigning Russia League Champion UMMC over the weekend. In the EuroLeague victory over Castors Braine, Prince poured in 20 points behind an impressive six 3-pointers.
Kia Vaughn and Fenerbahce ran up wins in EuroLeague and Turkey, while Amanda Zahui B and USK Praha split EuroLeague and Czech League matchups. In France, both Rebecca Allen and Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe helped their teams secure wins heading into a break for the holidays.
LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Amanda Zahui B – USK Praha
USK Praha may have gone 1-1 this week but Amanda Zahui B had a pair of big performances and put up impressive numbers. She averaged 29.0 ppg and 2.5 3-pointers per contest for Praha, including a 34 point performance where she hit 3 3-pointers in a Czech League victory.
REBECCA ALLEN #8 – Lyon Basket
France-LFB (5-5, Ranked T-5th)
Recent Results
Dec. 2 vs. Bourges: L, 53-69 (8 pts, 3-11 FG, 2 3FG, 3 stl, 26 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 17 vs. Lattes Mont.: W, 67-64 (6 pts, 2-6 FG, 7 reb, 4 stl, 1 blk, 26 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
| #8 R. ALLEN (France) |
10 |
27.6 |
21 |
58 |
.362 |
10 |
32 |
.313 |
11 |
12 |
.917 |
5.3 |
2.2 |
1.1 |
0.9 |
8.3 |
Rebecca Allen and Lyon closed out 2017 with an important win, edging Lattes Montp. to improve to 5-5 in the French League approaching the midway point of the season. Allen scored 6 points and also grabbed 7 rebounds with 4 steals and a blocked shot to help power Lyon to the victory. She is averaging 8.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, and 1.1 spg. Lyon returns to action against 1st place Villeneuve on Dec. 17.
NAYO RAINCOCK-EKUNWE #4 – Nantes Reze Basket
France-LFB (4-6, Ranked T-8th)
EuroCup Group J (2-4, Ranked 4th)
Recent Results
Dec. 2 vs. Tarbes: L, 59-72 (9 pts, 3-9 FG, 9 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk, 36 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 17 vs. Mondeville: W, 68-59 (18 pts, 7-15 FG, 10 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 33 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
| #4 N. RAINCOCK-EKUNWE (France) |
10 |
32.7 |
52 |
125 |
.416 |
3 |
13 |
.231 |
42 |
69 |
.609 |
12.6 |
1.5 |
1.1 |
0.4 |
15.5 |
| #4 N. RAINCOCK-EKUNWE (EuroCup) |
6 |
33.7 |
32 |
60 |
.533 |
3 |
13 |
.231 |
18 |
31 |
.581 |
11.3 |
1.7 |
1.7 |
0.7 |
16.7 |
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds to power Nantes to a much-needed win over Mondeville, 68-59, over the weekend, as Nantes improved to 4-6 in the French League, moving up into a tie for 8th place. Having completed competition in the EuroCup Tournament, Nantes will focus now on moving back up the French League standings. Raincock-Ekunwe continues to average a double-double of 15.5 ppg and 12.6 rpg, leading the league in rebounding and ranking 3rd in scoring. Nantes returns to action on Jan. 7.
AMANDA ZAHUI B #17 – USK Praha
Czech Republic-ZBL (13-0, Ranked 1st)
EuroLeague Group A (4-4, Ranked T-3rd)
Recent Results
Dec. 13 vs. Bourges: L, 72-86 (24 pts, 10-14 FG, 2 3FG, 11 reb, 35 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 17 vs. Karlovy Vary: W, 117-41 (34 pts, 13-16 FG, 3 3FG, 5 reb, 2 ast, 4 stl, 31 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) |
13 |
24.5 |
90 |
145 |
.621 |
10 |
18 |
.556 |
57 |
68 |
.838 |
7.2 |
1.5 |
2.4 |
1.0 |
20.5 |
| #17 A. ZAHUI B (EuroLeague) |
8 |
31.6 |
46 |
89 |
.517 |
8 |
21 |
.381 |
29 |
40 |
.725 |
9.1 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
18.1 |
USK Praha went 1-1 last week but Amanda Zahui B had her game firing on all cylinders as she turned in a pair of monster performances for her squad. In an 86-72 loss to Bourges in EuroLeague action, Zahui B scored 24 points and nailed a pair of 3-pointers with 11 rebounds. USK Praha routed Karlovy Vary in Czech League action, 117-41, with Zahui B scoring 34 points while nailing 3 3-pointers with 5 rebounds and 4 steals. For the week she averaged 29.0 ppg, 2.5 3-pointers per game, and 8.0 rpg. She is leading EuroLeague in scoring at 18.1 ppg and ranks 2nd in the Czech League averaging 20.5 ppg. USK Praha will face Galatasaray in EuroLeague action this week before getting a brief break until the New Year.
EPIPHANNY PRINCE #10 – Dynamo Kursk
Russia-PBL (9-0, Ranked 1st)
EuroLeague Group A (8-0, Ranked 1st)
Recent Results
Dec. 13 vs. Castors Braine: W, 72-60 (20 pts, 6 3FG, 7 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl, 38 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 17 vs. UMMC: W, 77-68 (9 pts, 4-12 FG, 2 reb, 6 ast, 32 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
| #10 E. PRINCE (Russia) |
9 |
20.0 |
20 |
39 |
.513 |
12 |
24 |
.500 |
9 |
9 |
1.000 |
2.8 |
2.8 |
1.0 |
0.1 |
9.4 |
| #10 E. PRINCE (EuroLeague) |
8 |
21.3 |
15 |
28 |
.536 |
11 |
27 |
.407 |
3 |
3 |
1.000 |
2.4 |
3.0 |
0.9 |
0.0 |
8.3 |
Epiphanny Prince and Dynamo Kursk faced arguably their toughest test of the season against UMMC in the battle between unbeatens in the Russian League and the 1st meeting of the season since last year’s championship series, and Prince and Kursk prevailed 77-68 to run their Russian League record to 9-0. Prince scored 9 points in the win, also dishing out 6 assists. Earlier in the week, Dynamo Kursk handled Bourges in EuroLeague play 72-60 behind a big performance from Prince. She scored 20 points while nailing 6 3-pointers with 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Prince and Kursk will face Villeneuve in EuroLeague action on Dec. 20 and then take a break until resuming play during the 1st week of January.
LINDSAY ALLEN #15 – Dynamo Moscow
Russia-PBL (3-7, Ranked 10th)
EEWBL (2-3, Ranked T-9th)
Recent Results
Dec. 10 vs. Astana Tigers: W, 82-53 (6 pts, 3-4 FG, 2 ast, 2 stl, 19 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 17 vs. Spartak N.: W, 82-72 (11 pts, 5-11 FG, 1 3FG, 4 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl, 32 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
| #15 L. ALLEN (Russia) |
10 |
29.6 |
38 |
86 |
.442 |
9 |
15 |
.600 |
23 |
34 |
.676 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
1.2 |
0.0 |
12.6 |
| #15 L. ALLEN (EEWBL) |
5 |
28.4 |
11 |
23 |
.478 |
2 |
4 |
.500 |
10 |
13 |
.769 |
3.6 |
5.2 |
1.4 |
0.2 |
7.6 |
Lindsay Allen and Dynamo Moscow enter the holiday break on a high note thanks to an 82-72 win over Spartak N. over the weekend. Allen scored 11 points and dished out 5 assists with 3 steals for Moscow, who improved to 3-7 in the Russian League. Allen is averaging 12.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 4.7 apg in Russia, ranking 9th in the league in scoring, while leading the Premier League in assists per game. Dynamo Moscow will have a break until resuming league action on Jan. 7.
BRIA HARTLEY #14 – Mersin
Turkey-KBSL (4-6, Ranked T-6th)
EuroCup Group B (4-2, 2nd)
Recent Results
Dec. 14 vs. MBA: W, 81-66 (21 pts, 8-15 FG, 1 3FG, 2 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl, 32 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 17 vs. Botas: L, 80-87 (32 pts, 10-19 FG, 4 3FG, 5 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 41 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
| #14 B. HARTLEY (Turkey) |
10 |
31.4 |
50 |
108 |
.463 |
21 |
61 |
.344 |
34 |
43 |
.791 |
3.2 |
3.9 |
2.0 |
0.5 |
19.7 |
| #14 B. HARTLEY (EuroCup) |
7 |
30.1 |
29 |
65 |
.446 |
13 |
34 |
.382 |
28 |
36 |
.778 |
3.3 |
4.1 |
1.9 |
0.1 |
17.9 |
Bria Hartley and Mersin are in a strong position to advance to the next round of the EuroCup playoffs after picking up an 81-66 road win over MBA in the 1st leg of their home-and-home opening round matchup last week. Hartley scored 21 points with 4 assists and a pair of steals in the win; Mersin will host MBA with a chance to advance to the next round on the line on Dec. 21. In the Turkish League, despite 32 points from Hartley, Mersin lost to Kiah Stokes and Botas in overtime 87-80 to fall to 4-6 in league action. Hartley continues to rank as one of the top offensive weapons in the league, averaging 19.7 ppg to rank 2nd in Turkey in scoring. After the matchup with MBA, Mersin will face Cukurova on Dec. 23.
KIA VAUGHN #8 – Fenerbahce
Turkey-KBSL (9-1, Ranked T-1st)
EuroLeague Group B (6-2, Ranked T-2nd)
Recent Results
Dec. 13 vs. Nadezhda Orenburg: W, 66-64 (15 pts, 5-8 FG, 10 reb, 1 ast, 29 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 17 vs. Canik Beledi: W, 81-61 (11 pts, 5-6 FG, 10 reb, 1 ast, 27 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
| #8 K. VAUGHN (Turkey) |
10 |
26.2 |
44 |
76 |
.579 |
0 |
0 |
.000 |
13 |
19 |
.684 |
6.6 |
1.3 |
1.5 |
0.3 |
10.1 |
| #8 K. VAUGHN (EuroLeague) |
8 |
29.6 |
27 |
65 |
.415 |
0 |
1 |
.000 |
17 |
21 |
.810 |
6.4 |
1.0 |
0.9 |
0.4 |
8.9 |
Kia Vaughn turned in a pair of impressive performances to help power Fenerbahce to a pair of victories last week. In improving to 6-2 in EuroLeague group action thanks to a 66-64 win over Nadezhda Orenburg, Vaughn posted 15 points and 10 rebounds. Over the weekend, they maintained pace for the top spot in the Turkish League by beating Canik Beledi 82-61, as Vaughn posted another double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Coming up this week, Fenerbahce will face Familia Schio in EuroLeague then Abdulluah Gul in Turkey, who sits just two games behind them in the standings.
KIAH STOKES #41 – Botas
Turkey-KBSL (6-4, T-5th)
Recent Results
Dec. 9 vs. OGM Orman: W, 72-67 (12 pts, 4-9 FG, 8 reb, 5 blk, 30 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 17 vs. Mersin: W, 87-80 (14 pts, 6-16 FG, 20 reb, 1 stl, 2 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) |
10 |
34.9 |
61 |
107 |
.570 |
0 |
1 |
.000 |
26 |
35 |
.743 |
14.9 |
0.7 |
0.9 |
2.8 |
14.8 |
Kiah Stokes and Botas pushed its winning streak in the Turkish League to 3 in a row thanks to an overtime win over Bria Hartley and Mersin over the weekend. Kiah stokes scored 14 points and hauled in an impressive 20 rebounds with a pair of blocked shots to lead Botas. She is now averaging 14.8 ppg, 14.9 rpg, and 2.8 bpg, ranking 2nd in the league in rebounding while still leading all players in blocked shots. Botas will face winless Bornova on Dec. 23 in search of a 4th-straight victory.
SHAVONTE ZELLOUS #1 – Besiktas
Turkey-KBSL (6-4, T-5th)
EuroCup Group A (1-5, T-3rd)
Recent Results
Dec. 9 vs. Istanbul Univ.: W, 92-62 (18 pts, 7-10 FG, 6 reb, 3 ast, 1 blk, 28 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 16 vs. Adana ASKI.: W, 98-59 (14 pts, 6-10 FG, 2 3FG, 4 reb, 5 ast, 20 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
| #1 S. ZELLOUS (Turkey) |
5 |
24.6 |
22 |
38 |
.579 |
7 |
12 |
.583 |
24 |
24 |
1.000 |
6.6 |
4.8 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
17.8 |
| #1 S. ZELLOUS (EuroCup) |
2 |
35.0 |
4 |
13 |
.308 |
2 |
4 |
.500 |
6 |
10 |
.600 |
4.5 |
1.0 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
10.0 |
Shavonte Zellous and Besiktas picked up a 2nd-straight lopsided win, this time beating Adana ASKI 98-59 in the Turkish League to improve to 6-4 and maintain a tie for 5th place in the standings. Zellous logged just 20 minutes in the victory, scoring 14 points with a pair of 3-pointers, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. Besiktas has won 5-straight Turkish League games since Zellous joined the squad last month and will be tested this week as it faces Yakin Dogu, who is currently tied for 1st in the league with a 9-1 overall mark.
