Late Run Gives Ukraine Victory

20-year-old Alina Iagupova sparked Ukraine with 17 points.

Ukraine pulled away down the stretch to secure a 55-42 victory over winless Portugal in Group A of the EuroBasket Women Qualification Round.

The teams were tied 31-31 at the midway point of the third quarter but from there Ukraine pulled away, with a 7-0 spurt highlighted by a Alina Iagupova three-pointer putting them in control before the start of the final quarter.

They then outscored Portugal 17-9 over the last 10 minutes to wrap up their third win of the group stage.

Ukraine had led for most of the game, having been up 25-17, with 2:06 left in the second quarter, but Portugal rallied, with three-pointers from Carla Freitas and Ana Oliveira cutting the gap to two, 27-25 before Oliveira's jump-shot tied it at 27-27 with 7:41 to go in the third quarter.

The 20-year-old Iagupova led Ukraine with 17 points while Lyubov Alyoshkina added 12.

No Portugal players managed to make it into double figures, with Oliveira, Freitas and Sara Filipe each tied on eight.

Quotes Portugal vs. Ukraine

Ukraine coach Vadim Czeczuro:
"First I want to congratulate Portugal for the way they played today. It was a completely different and tougher game than the one played in Ukraine. We had a serious approach and conversation with the players because we knew that Portugal is improving from game to game. We defended well but we had some problems with the Portuguese press zone defence. In the end we got lucky and we made our three pointers."

Ukraine player Alina Iagupova:
"Each game is different and today it was a much more leveled game. It was very difficult because we found a strong defence from Portugal. In the beginning of the game we made some turnovers and that was the key point to level the game. The Portuguese pressing zone defence caused us some troubles."

Portugal coach Ricardo Vasconcelos:
"This game was one more demonstration that this team is growing and improving each practice and each game. In the last five minutes we were still fighting for a win and Ukraine had to be really better than us to get the victory. Right now our thoughts are on the next three games and that we have to play in a different way than we played before."

Portugal player Sofia da Silva:
"In my opinion, today we showed everybody that we are a team with a strong personality. We left everything on the court and we caused a lot of problems to the other team. Playing like this we believe that we can fight for the win against all the other teams. We have to be proud of ourselves because the only thing missing was the victory."