16.06.2012

Red-Hot Slovenia See Off Lithuania

Slovenia have a lot of games still to play but coach Boris Zrinski must like what he's seen so far in the EuroBasket Women 2013 Qualification Round.

After opening their campaign with a 63-59 Group C victory at Belgium, the Slovenians returned home and on Saturday pulled away from Lithuania in the second half to win, 79-68.

Teja Oblak, Slovenia's promising 21-year-old shooting guard, had 19 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Maja Erkic poured in 13 points and Nika Baric, the 2010 FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year, contributed 12 and also handed out eight assists.

Lithuania blew out the Netherlands 88-47 in midweek but Slovenia were more formidable in Kranjska Gora.

The visitors were on top 43-41 following a basket from small forward Kamile Nacickaite, but Slovenia then struck with a vengeance.

Tina Trebec hit a jumper and Baric followed with a lay-up to ignite a 9-0 run that Erkic capped with a jump shot on a fast-break.

Slovenia outscored the team from the Baltics 19-13 in the frame and were on top 56-50 going to the fourth quarter.

Twice Lithuania reduced the deficit to four at the start of the last period.

Egle Sulciute's jumper made it 56-52 and Gintare Petronyte 's jump shot reduced the deficit to 58-54.

Slovenia had their noses in front to stay, though.

Tjasa Gortnar caught a pass from Martina Dover and scored and Oblak followed with a three-ball to make it 63-54 in favor of the home side.

The hosts went in front by 14 in the quarter and eventually settled for a nine-point triumph.

Slovenia out-rebounded Lithuania 40-25 and had 21 assists to just eight for Algirdas Paulauskas' side.

Petronyte ended up with a game-high 22 points in defeat.

Lithuanian guard Sandra Linkeviciene scored 10 points but turned the ball over six times.

16.06.2012

Quotes Slovenia vs. Lithuania

Boris Zrinski, Slovenia coach:
"The girls believed in what we have been pointing out the whole time - that the Lithuanians are not better than us. Although they have bigger players who are good shooters, we were not frightened by them. In the beginning we fell behind but at the end I believe our longer bench and a better physical preparation decided the match. We led for the whole game. Now we have to focus, we still have six more games to play. Our goal was this win and our goal is qualification to EuroBasket 2013!"

Maja Erkic, Slovenia:
"We knew that we are going to play against a tough opponent. Our team is a mix of young and experienced players, but we all have a great heart and this in my opinion is the most important thing in this Qualification Round. I hope we will remain focused and listen to our coaches which are doing a wonderful job. Step by step I hope we will make it to EuroBasket 2013!"

Algirdas Paulauskas, Lithuania coach:
"Today our team did not demonstrate mature basketball. We failed to organize quick offenses and we lost 21 balls, but we have to say that the opponent put us under a lot of pressure. The Slovenians have a very powerful team and we will seek revenge against them in Kaunas. But first we have to think about the match against Slovakia."

Kristina Vengryte, Lithuania:
"I have to give credit to the Slovenian team, they played really good tonight. I haven't seen the statistics so far, but I think they out-rebounded us and made some really big shots. For us it was a bad day."