Swiss Finish Strong To Win At Estonia

Karen Twehues was the topscorer for Switzerland with 18 points.

Switzerland sprung a mild upset at Estonia on Wednesday to get their Qualification Round for the EuroBasket Women 2013 off to a terrific start.

Karen Twehues had 18 points and Sarah Kershaw scored 16 in a 62-58 win.

The Swiss trailed 54-50 early in the fourth quarter after a three-point play by Estonia's Merike Anderson but Kershaw and Twehues then took over.

The former hit a jumper and then a three-pointer to put the visitors in front and Twehues added a lay-up for her last points of the contest to make it 57-54 with 4:29 to go.

Anderson, who had a game-high 23 points for Estonia, answered with a jump shot to reduce the arrears to one but Alexia Rol and Kershaw responded with baskets to stretch the Swiss lead to five.

Mirjam Nikolai scored to cut the gap to three for Estonia but the Swiss held on for a victory that will no doubt put them in a confident frame of mind heading into Saturday's home game against Montenegro.

Estonia will play their next game at Poland.

Quotes Estonia vs. Switzerland

Switzerland head coach Milenko Tomic
"This is a big win for our team and Swiss basketball. It took our best defensive effort and controlled offense to overcome a very good Estonian team."

Estonia head coach Jaanus Levkoi
"I think that Valeria Kast's absence from today's game was a big influence. It won't get any easier. We'll take a game at a time."