Prince and Dynamo Kursk Win Russian Cup – International Update 12-12
December 12, 2017
Another busy week for Liberty players with some key victories. While Bria Hartley and Mersin prepare for the 1st round of the EuroCup playoffs, which tip off later this week, the EuroLeague group stage reached its midway point.
Epiphanny Prince and Dynamo Kursk remained unbeaten this season, improving to 7-0 in EuroLeague Group A thanks to a 98-70 win over CCC Polkowice, and also won the Russian Cup, beating MBA Moscow 85-55.
Kia Vaughn and Fenerbahce beat Wisla Krakow in EuroLeague and topped Cukurova in Turkey to turn in a 2-0 week. Amanda Zahui B and USK Praha lost their EuroLeague matchup with Castors Braine just one point, 68-67, but bounced back to win in the Czech League.
Lindsay Allen led Dynamo Moscow to a pair of wins in the Eastern European Women’s Basketball League, dishing out 12 assists in one victory. In Turkey, Kiah Stokes (Botas) and Shavonte Zellous (Besiktas) both led their teams to victory, improving to 5-4 to rank in a tie for 5th in the league standings.
LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kiah Stokes – Botas
Kiah Stokes turned in the most impressive stat line of the week while leading Botas to another win in the Turkish League as they improved to 5-4 overall. Stokes scored 12 points with 8 rebounds while also swatting away 5 shots in 30 minutes of action. She leads the Turkish League with 2.9 bpg and ranks 2nd averaging 14.3 rpg.
REBECCA ALLEN #8 – Lyon Basket
France-LFB (4-5, Ranked T-6th)
Recent Results
Nov. 25 vs. Hainaut: W, 89-67 (7 pts, 3-5 FG, 2 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk, 21 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 2 vs. Bourges: L, 53-69 (8 pts, 3-11 FG, 2 3FG, 3 stl, 26 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#8 R. ALLEN (France) |
9 |
27.8 |
19 |
52 |
.365 |
10 |
32 |
.313 |
9 |
10 |
.900 |
5.1 |
2.4 |
0.8 |
0.9 |
8.6 |
Rebecca Allen and Lyon had a week off. Lyon will face Lattes Mont., currently just a game ahead of them in the standings, this weekend on Dec. 17, before getting a break for the holidays. After that showdown, Lyon will resume action on Jan. 6.
NAYO RAINCOCK-EKUNWE #4 – Nantes Reze Basket
France-LFB (3-6, Ranked T-9th)
EuroCup Group J (2-4, Ranked 4th)
Recent Results
Nov. 29 vs. Hainaut: W, 63-50 (14 pts, 6-12 FG, 1 3FG, 12 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl, 29 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 2 vs. Tarbes: L, 59-72 (9 pts, 3-9 FG, 9 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk, 36 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#4 N. RAINCOCK-EKUNWE (France) |
9 |
32.7 |
45 |
110 |
.409 |
3 |
13 |
.231 |
38 |
62 |
.613 |
12.9 |
1.6 |
1.1 |
0.4 |
15.2 |
#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 |
Despite winning their final game of EuroCup group play, Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe and Nantes did not advance to the 1st round of the playoffs and will now focus on climbing the French League table. Nantes had last week off and will face Mondeville this weekend before an extended break for the holidays. They will resume play in the new year on Jan. 7.
AMANDA ZAHUI B #17 – USK Praha
Czech Republic-ZBL (12-0, Ranked 1st)
EuroLeague Group A (4-3, Ranked T-2nd)
Recent Results
Dec. 6 vs. Castors Braine: L, 67-68 (4 pts, 0-4 FG, 5 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 24 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 9 vs. KP Brno: W, 87-66 (16 pts, 7-14 FG, 12 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl, 30 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) |
12 |
24.0 |
80 |
133 |
.602 |
7 |
14 |
.500 |
52 |
63 |
.825 |
7.3 |
1.4 |
2.3 |
1.1 |
19.4 |
#17 A. ZAHUI B (EuroLeague) |
7 |
31.1 |
38 |
78 |
.487 |
6 |
18 |
.333 |
27 |
34 |
.794 |
8.9 |
1.7 |
0.6 |
1.7 |
17.3 |
Amanda Zahui B and USK Praha went 1-1 last week, narrowly falling to Castors Braine in EuroLeague group action, 68-67, but bouncing back to remain unbeaten in the Czech League (12-0) thanks to an 87-66 win over KP Brno. Zahui B finished with 4 points, 5 rebounds, and a pair of assists in the EuroLeague loss, but three days later posted a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds in the Czech League. Zahui B is currently second in the league averaging 19.4 ppg. USK Praha returns to action on Dec. 13, tipping off the 2nd half of EuroLeague action against Bourges, then faces Karlovy Vary on Dec. 17.
EPIPHANNY PRINCE #10 – Dynamo Kursk
Russia-PBL (8-0, Ranked 2nd)
EuroLeague Group A (7-0, Ranked 1st)
Recent Results
Dec. 3 vs. Dynamo Moscow: W, 92-66 (12 pts, 4-6 FG, 2 3FG, 3 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 18 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 6 vs. CCC Polkowice: W, 98-70 (4 pts, 2-8 FG, 3 reb, 7 ast, 23 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#10 E. PRINCE (Russia) |
8 |
18.5 |
17 |
33 |
.515 |
11 |
18 |
.611 |
9 |
9 |
1.000 |
2.9 |
2.4 |
1.1 |
0.1 |
9.5 |
#10 E. PRINCE (EuroLeague) |
7 |
18.9 |
14 |
25 |
.560 |
5 |
17 |
.294 |
3 |
3 |
1.000 |
1.7 |
2.7 |
0.6 |
0.0 |
6.6 |
Epiphanny Prince and Dynamo Kursk capped off their week by winning the Russia Cup, adding the trophy to their FIBA SuperCup victory from earlier this season, not to mention last year’s EuroLeague Women championship. Mid-week, Prince and Kursk moved to 7-0 at the midway point of EuroLeague group action, knocking off CCC Polkowice of Poland 98-70. Prince scored 4 points but dished out 7 assists in the win. In the Russia Cup win over MBA Moscow, Dynamo Kursk won by the lopsided final tally of 85-55. The 2nd half of EuroLeague group play tips off Dec. 13 against Castors Braine, and then this weekend the game of the week features a pair of unbeaten Russian teams as Kursk faces UMMC for the first time this season.
LINDSAY ALLEN #15 – Dynamo Moscow
Russia-PBL (2-7, Ranked 10th)
EEWBL (2-3, Ranked T-9th)
Recent Results
Dec. 9 vs. Piestanske: W, 86-84 (6 pts, 2-7 FG, 7 reb, 12 reb, 35 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 10 vs. Astana Tigers: W, 82-53 (6 pts, 3-4 FG, 2 ast, 2 stl, 19 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#15 L. ALLEN (Russia) |
9 |
29.3 |
34 |
77 |
.442 |
8 |
13 |
.615 |
23 |
30 |
.767 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
1.0 |
0.0 |
12.8 |
#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 |
With a bye week from Russian Premier League action, Lindsay Allen and Dynamo Moscow played a couple of games in the Eastern European Women’s Basketball League and came away with a pair of victories to improve to 2-3 in the league and jump into a tie for 9th place. In a one possession game against Piestanske, which Moscow won 86-84, Allen dished out an impressive 12 assists to go along with 6 points and 2 steals. The win over Astana came much more easily, with Allen logging just 19 minutes and finishing with 6 points and 2 assists. She ranks 3rd in the EEWBL with 5.2 apg. This week, Moscow resumes Russian Premier League play against Spartak N. on Dec. 17, then takes a break for the holidays, returning to action again on Jan. 7.
BRIA HARTLEY #14 – Mersin
Turkey-KBSL (4-5, Ranked T-8th)
EuroCup Group B (4-2, 2nd)
Recent Results
Dec. 3 vs. Yakin Dogu: L, 75-89 (15 pts, 7-17 FG, 2 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl, 1 blk, 33 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 10 vs. Hatay: L, 69-81 (24 pts, 9-17 FG, 2 3FG, 3 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl, 33 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#14 B. HARTLEY (Turkey) |
9 |
30.3 |
44 |
96 |
.458 |
17 |
54 |
.315 |
26 |
34 |
.765 |
3.0 |
4.0 |
2.0 |
0.6 |
18.3 |
#14 B. HARTLEY (EuroCup) |
6 |
29.8 |
22 |
53 |
.415 |
12 |
31 |
.387 |
24 |
31 |
.774 |
3.3 |
4.2 |
1.8 |
0.2 |
17.3 |
Despite 24 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals from Bria Hartley, Mersin lost to 1st place Hatay 81-69 in the Turkish League last week, falling to 4-5 overall, tied for the 8th position in the league. In EuroCup, having advanced to the 1st round of the playoffs, Mersin had a week off and opens its home-and-home playoff series with MBA on the road on Dec. 14. Two days later they return home for another tough league matchup, this time with Kiah Stokes and Botas, who are 5-4 in Turkey.
KIA VAUGHN #8 – Fenerbahce
Turkey-KBSL (8-1, Ranked T-1st)
EuroLeague Group B (5-2, Ranked T-2nd)
Recent Results
Dec. 6 vs. Wisla Krakow: W, 87-78 (2 pts, 1-8 FG, 5 reb, 2 ast, 17 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 10 vs. Cukurova: W, 78-73 (0 pts, 0-4 FG, 4 reb, 1 ast, 12 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#8 K. VAUGHN (Turkey) |
9 |
26.1 |
39 |
70 |
.557 |
0 |
0 |
.000 |
12 |
18 |
.667 |
6.2 |
1.3 |
1.6 |
0.2 |
10.0 |
#8 K. VAUGHN (EuroLeague) |
7 |
29.7 |
22 |
57 |
.386 |
0 |
1 |
.000 |
12 |
15 |
.800 |
5.9 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
0.4 |
8.0 |
Two victories for Fenerbahce last week as they maintain pace for the top position in the Turkish League and for 2nd place in the highly competitive EuroLeague Group B standings. In an 87-78 win over Wisla Krakow in EuroLeague, Vaughn finished with 2 points, 5 rebounds, and a pair of assists. She also hauled in 4 rebounds in just 12 minutes as Fenerbahce held off Cukurova 78-73 in Turkey. Vaughn and Fenerbahce face Nadezhda Orenburg in EuroLeague this week then Canik Belediye in Turkey over the weekend.
KIAH STOKES #41 – Botas
Turkey-KBSL (5-4, T-5th)
Recent Results
Dec. 2 vs. Fenerbahce: W, 78-69 (12 pts, 6-10 FG, 7 reb, 1 ast, 3 blk, 38 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 9 vs. OGM Orman: W, 72-67 (12 pts, 4-9 FG, 8 reb, 5 blk, 30 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#41 K. STOKES (Turkey) |
9 |
34.8 |
55 |
92 |
.598 |
0 |
0 |
.000 |
24 |
33 |
.727 |
14.3 |
0.8 |
0.9 |
2.9 |
14.9 |
Botas maintained its momentum in the Turkish League with a 72-67 win over OGM Orman in the Turkish League, and Kiah Stokes was dominant per usual. In the 5-point win, Stokes scored 12 points with 8 rebounds but also blocked 5 shots. She is now averaging 14.9 ppg, 14.3 rpg, and 2.9 bpg, leading the Turkish League in blocks while ranking 2nd on the glass. Botas returns to action this weekend against Bria Hartley and Mersin before facing winless Bornova on Dec. 23.
SHAVONTE ZELLOUS #1 – Besiktas
Turkey-KBSL (5-4, T-5th)
EuroCup Group A (1-5, T-3rd)
Recent Results
Dec. 3 vs. Bornova: W, 92-55 (17 pts, 7-10 FG, 4 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl, 22 min) | BOX SCORE
Dec. 9 vs. Istanbul Univ.: W, 92-62 (18 pts, 7-10 FG, 6 reb, 3 ast, 1 blk, 28 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
#1 S. ZELLOUS (Turkey) |
4 |
25.8 |
18 |
30 |
.600 |
5 |
10 |
.500 |
24 |
24 |
1.000 |
7.3 |
4.8 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
18.8 |
#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 |
Besiktas improved to 5-4 in the Turkish League thanks to a lopsided 92-62 win over Istanbul University over the weekend. Having been eliminated from the EuroCup Tournament, Besiktas shifts its full focus to climbing the Turkish League standings. In the win, Shavonte Zellous posted an efficient 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting with a 3-pointer, also pulling down 6 rebounds with 3 assists and a blocked shot. Through 4 games Zellous is averaging 18.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg, shooting .600 from the field. Besiktas faces Adana ASKI this week before a matchup with 1st place Yakin Dogu on Dec. 23.