EUROBASKET WOMEN QUALIFIERS

Forward Lucia Kupcikova led Slovakia in scoring with 13 points

The Slovak Republic didn't have it all their own way for three quarters but finally saw off the challenge of the Netherlands on Saturday in the EuroBasket Women Qualification Round.

In a Group C game, the Dutch team battled hard but offered very little offensively in the fourth quarter and crashed to a 70-48 defeat.

The visitors overcome a 10-point deficit to lead 32-31 midway through the third quarter, with center Naomi Halman scoring five straight points to put them in front.

Katarina Tetemondová answered for the Slovakians, burying a three-pointer and Lucia Kupcikova followed with a basket to take the lead to 36-32.

Ivan Vojtko's team stretched the advantage to 48-40 by the end of the frame.

The hosts then put the defensive clamps on the Netherlands, holding them without a basket for the first six and a half minutes of the fourth quarter.

When they finally ended their drought, the Slovakians had a 62-42 stranglehold on the contest and victory was assured.

Kupcikova led Slovakia, who improved to 2-1, with 13 points.

Halman had a game-high 20 points in defeat for the Netherlands, who fell to 0-3.