Rodgers Makes Her French Debut – International Update 1-30
January 30, 2018
Approaching the final game of group play in the EuroLeague tournament, all three Liberty players, Epiphanny Prince, Amanda Zahui B, and Kia Vaughn, appear to be primed to advance to the quarterfinal round.
While only Prince and Dynamo Kursk picked up a EuroLeague win last week, and her team is undefeated so far this season, all three look to be safely in the field of 8 approaching the postseason.
In the EuroCup Tournament, Bria Hartley and Mersin defeated Flammes 80-71 in the first leg of their quarterfinal series, with game two scheduled for this week.
The Liberty saw a new member of the team make her international debut with Sugar Rodgers suiting up for BLMA in the French League. She wasted no time posting a big game for her new squad, sinking 5 triples against Villeneuve over the weekend.
LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bria Hartley – Mersin
Leading her team to yet another EuroCup playoff win, this time over Flammes in the quarterfinals, along with a Turkish League victory, Bria Hartley enjoyed a strong week on the court. In two victories, she averaged 19.0 ppg for Mersin, along with 5.0 rpg, and 6.0 apg.
REBECCA ALLEN #8 – Lyon Basket
France-LFB (7-6, Ranked T-5th)
Recent Results
Jan. 20 vs. Tarbes: L, 58-75 (10 pts, 5-15 FG, 10 reb, 3 ast, 4 stl, 26 min) | BOX SCORE
Jan. 26 vs. Mondeville: W, 73-62 (13 pts, 6-13 FG, 1 3FG, 4 reb, 4 ast, 2 blk, 33 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
| #8 R. ALLEN (France) |
13 |
28.3 |
39 |
90 |
.433 |
11 |
47 |
.234 |
14 |
16 |
.875 |
5.6 |
2.3 |
1.7 |
0.9 |
9.6 |
Rebecca Allen and Lyon are back above .500 and tied for 5th in the French League following a 73-62 win over Mondeville last week. Allen scored 14 points with 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a pair of blocked shots for Lyon, which is now 7-6 in league play. Allen is averaging 9.6 ppg through 13 games this season. Lyon is back in action on Feb. 3 when it matches up with Nantes.
NAYO RAINCOCK-EKUNWE #4 – Nantes Reze Basket
France-LFB (5-8, Ranked T-8th)
EuroCup Group J (2-4, Ranked 4th)
Recent Results
Jan. 19 vs. Nice: W, 66-56 (24 pts, 11-18 FG, 9 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk, 34 min) | BOX SCORE
Jan. 27 vs. Roche: L, 54-79 (22 pts, 6-16 FG, 10-15 FT, 11 reb, 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) |
13 |
32.5 |
76 |
165 |
.461 |
3 |
18 |
.167 |
56 |
93 |
.590 |
12.0 |
1.8 |
1.1 |
0.4 |
16.7 |
| #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 a double-double from Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, Nantes lost to Roche last week, 79-54, to fall to 5-8 in the French League, although still tied for 8th place overall. It was another 20-point game for Raincock-Ekunwe, who scored 22 points to go along with 11 rebounds while converting 10-of-15 at the line. She is now averaging 16.7 ppg and 12.0 rpg in France. Up next, she will battle Liberty teammate Rebecca Allen and Lyon on Feb. 3.
SUGAR RODGERS #14 – BLMA
France-LFB (6-7, Ranked 7th)
EuroLeague Group B (1-12, Ranked 8th)
Recent Results
Jan. 24 vs. Wisla Krakow: L, 57-85 (DNP) | BOX SCORE
Jan. 27 vs. Villeneuve: L, 52-57 (17 pts, 6-20 FG, 5 3FG, 5 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl, 37 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
| #14 S. RRODGERS (France) |
2 |
34.5 |
2 |
10 |
.200 |
6 |
17 |
.353 |
0 |
0 |
.000 |
3.5 |
4.5 |
2.0 |
0.0 |
11.0 |
Sugar Rodgers has joined BLMA of the French League for the 2nd half of their season as the squad tries to make a push to move up the league table. BLMA is also in Group B of the EuroLeague regular season, but Rodgers did not make an appearance in their game this week. Against Villeneuve in France, Rodgers logged 37 minutes and nailed 5 3-pointers to finish with 17 points, also grabbing 5 rebounds with 4 assists. Two games into the stint with her new team, Rodgers is averaging 11.0 ppg and shooting 35.3 percent from 3-point range. Villeneuve closes out the EuroLeague season against UMMC this week, then faces Tarbes in the French League.
AMANDA ZAHUI B #17 – USK Praha
Czech Republic-ZBL (17-0, Ranked 1st)
EuroLeague Group A (7-6, Ranked T-3rd)
Recent Results
Jan. 24 vs. Sopron Basket: L, 61-77 (11 pts, 4-12 FG, 1 3FG, 3 reb, 2 blk, 27 min | BOX SCORE
Jan. 27 vs. Zabiny Brno: W, 78-60 (10 pts, 3-6 FG, 3 reb, 1 stl, 17 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) |
16 |
23.8 |
109 |
168 |
.649 |
10 |
20 |
.500 |
66 |
77 |
.857 |
7.0 |
1.7 |
2.1 |
0.9 |
19.6 |
| #17 A. ZAHUI B (EuroLeague) |
13 |
31.5 |
73 |
149 |
.490 |
11 |
31 |
.355 |
39 |
52 |
.750 |
8.3 |
1.6 |
0.7 |
1.5 |
16.8 |
Amanda Zahui B and USK Praha will look to close out a spot in the EuroLeague quarterfinals this week. Currently tied for 3rd in Group A and coming off a 77-61 loss to Sopron Basket last week, USK Praha will face Castors Brai this week in the final game of group play before the start of the postseason. In the Czech League, the undefeated run continued as Zahui B and USK handled Zabiny Brno 78-60. Zahui B had 10 points in 17 minutes of action in the win.
EPIPHANNY PRINCE #10 – Dynamo Kursk
Russia-PBL (12-0, Ranked 1st)
EuroLeague Group A (13-0, Ranked 1st)
Recent Results
Jan. 21 vs. Dynamo NR: W, 97-57 (3 pts, 1 3FG, 4 reb, 4 ast, 20 min) | BOX SCORE
Jan. 24 vs. Galatasaray: W, 92-67 (16 pts, 7-12 FG, 2 3FG, 6 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl, 37 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
| #10 E. PRINCE (Russia) |
11 |
19.9 |
20 |
43 |
.465 |
13 |
27 |
.481 |
9 |
9 |
1.000 |
3.0 |
2.6 |
0.8 |
0.1 |
8.0 |
| #10 E. PRINCE (EuroLeague) |
13 |
24.3 |
26 |
53 |
.491 |
23 |
47 |
.489 |
8 |
9 |
.889 |
2.3 |
3.5 |
1.4 |
0.2 |
9.9 |
Behind 16 points and a pair of 3-pointers from Epiphanny Prince, Dynamo Kursk improved to 13-0 in EuroLeague action with a 92-67 win over Galatasaray, securing a top seed heading into the quarterfinals which begin next month. Prince shot 7-of-12 from the field in the win and also had 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Dynamo Kursk will close out EuroLeague group play against CCC Polkowice this week before the start of postseason action.
LINDSAY ALLEN #15 – Dynamo Moscow
Russia-PBL (3-9, Ranked 9th)
EEWBL Group B (4-3, Ranked T-3rd)
Recent Results
Jan. 14 vs. Sirenos: W, 81-55 (10 pts, 4-10 FG, 3 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl, 30 min) | BOX SCORE
Jan. 28 vs. Nadezhda Orenburg: L, 55-70 (11 pts, 4-11 FG, 5 reb, 6 ast, 33 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
| #15 L. ALLEN (Russia) |
12 |
30.8 |
46 |
105 |
.438 |
10 |
18 |
.556 |
29 |
42 |
.690 |
4.3 |
4.6 |
1.2 |
0.0 |
12.6 |
| #15 L. ALLEN (EEWBL) |
7 |
29.7 |
23 |
44 |
.523 |
2 |
5 |
.400 |
17 |
22 |
.773 |
3.4 |
5.1 |
1.3 |
0.1 |
9.9 |
Dynamo Moscow fell to 3-9 in the Russian League following a 70-55 loss to Nadezhda Orenburg last week. Lindsay Allen scored 11 points with 5 rebounds and 6 assists for her squad, bringing her season averages to 12.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 4.6 apg. Next week, Allen and Dynamo Moscow will resume EEWBL action during a break for the domestic league. They will play a home-and-home quarterfinal series with Al Riyadi starting on Feb. 8.
BRIA HARTLEY #14 – Mersin
Turkey-KBSL (10-6, Ranked 4th)
EuroCup Group B (4-2, 2nd)
Recent Results
Jan. 25 vs. Flammes: W, 80-71 (18 pts, 6-17 FG, 3 3FG, 6 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl, 36 min) | BOX SCORE
Jan. 28 vs. OGM Orman: W, 84-77 (21 pts, 6-18 FG, 2 3FG, 4 reb, 9 ast, 1 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) |
16 |
32.6 |
77 |
174 |
.443 |
32 |
95 |
.337 |
67 |
80 |
.838 |
2.8 |
4.4 |
1.6 |
0.3 |
19.8 |
| #14 B. HARTLEY (EuroCup) |
11 |
29.7 |
44 |
107 |
.411 |
18 |
50 |
.360 |
40 |
49 |
.816 |
4.1 |
3.9 |
1.8 |
0.3 |
16.5 |
Bria Hartley and Mersin have been red hot as of late, and that stretch continued with two more wins last week. Opening a EuroCup quarterfinal series against Flammes, Mersin took care of business in game one, picking up a an 80-71 win. Hartley scored 18 points, buried 3 3-pointers and rounded out her impressive performance with 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. In a Turkish League win over OGM Orman, Hartley scored 21 points with 4 rebounds and 9 assists. Her two game averages for the week were 19.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 6.0 apg. Mersin will play Flammes with a trip to the EuroCup semifinals on the line on Feb. 1, then resume Turkish League play against Adana ASKI next weekend.
KIA VAUGHN #8 – Fenerbahce
Turkey-KBSL (14-2, Ranked T-2nd)
EuroLeague Group B (9-4, Ranked 3rd)
Recent Results
Jan. 24 vs. Yakin Dogu: L, 65-76 (8 pts, 4-8 FG, 3 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk, 24 min) | BOX SCORE
Jan. 27 vs. Bornova: W, 102-55 (4 pts, 2-2 FG, 1 reb, 1 ast, 5 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
| #8 K. VAUGHN (Turkey) |
15 |
24.6 |
55 |
104 |
.529 |
0 |
0 |
.000 |
16 |
22 |
.727 |
6.8 |
1.1 |
1.2 |
0.3 |
8.4 |
| #8 K. VAUGHN (EuroLeague) |
13 |
29.6 |
50 |
103 |
.485 |
0 |
1 |
.000 |
22 |
29 |
.759 |
5.5 |
0.8 |
0.8 |
0.3 |
9.4 |
Fenerbahce fell to Yakin Dogu 76-65 in EuroLeague action last week but easily handled winless Bornova 102-55 in Turkish League action to remain in a tie for 2nd place in the league. Vaughn scored 8 points against Yakin Dogu then went 2-for-2 to net 4 points in just 5 minutes of action in the lopsided league win over Bornova. Fenerbahce closes out EuroLeague group play against Wisla Krakow this week and faces Istanbul in the Turkish League over the weekend.
KIAH STOKES #41 – Botas
Turkey-KBSL (9-7, T-5th)
Recent Results
Jan. 20 vs. Hatay: L, 58-67 (8 pts, 4-8 FG, 11 reb, 28 min) | BOX SCORE
Jan. 27 vs. Adana ASKI: W, 77-57 (15 pts, 5-7 FG, 7 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl, 2 blk, 28 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
| #41 K. STOKES (Turkey) |
16 |
32.6 |
94 |
165 |
.570 |
0 |
1 |
.000 |
41 |
55 |
.745 |
13.9 |
0.8 |
0.9 |
2.4 |
14.3 |
Kiah Stokes and Botas moved into a tie for 5th place in the Turkish League standings following a 77-57 win over Adana ASKI last week. Stokes shot 5-of-7 from the field to finish with 15 points to go along with 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. She is now averaging 14.3 ppg and 13.9 rpg in the competitive Turkish League regular season. Botas returns to action this week when it faces Cukurova.
SHAVONTE ZELLOUS #1 – Besiktas
Turkey-KBSL (9-7, T-5th)
EuroCup Group A (1-5, T-3rd)
Recent Results
Jan. 20 vs. Canik Beledi: W, 70-66 (12 pts, 5-11 FG, 6 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 37 min) | BOX SCORE
Jan. 27 vs. Abdullah Gul: W, 79-56 (15 pts, 4-10 FG, 1 3FG, 2 reb, 4 ast, 3 blk, 29 min) | BOX SCORE
|
GM |
MIN |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
3FG |
3FGA |
3FG% |
FTM |
FTA |
FT% |
REB |
AST |
STL |
BLK |
PTS |
| #1 S. ZELLOUS (Turkey) |
11 |
28.2 |
46 |
99 |
.465 |
11 |
29 |
.379 |
46 |
52 |
.885 |
6.2 |
3.3 |
0.5 |
0.6 |
15.5 |
| #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 put a 2nd-straight game in the win column thanks to an easy 79-56 victory over Abdullah Gul last weekend. Zellous filled up the stat sheet as she typically does, scoring 15 points with 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocked shots. With the win, Besiktas improved to 9-7 to tie Botas for 5th in the league. Zellous is averaging 15.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, and 3.3 apg. Her team returns to action to face Galatasaray this weekend.
