24.03.09 | UMMC has Got off to Win Medals

Over the current month "Dynamo-GUVD" has for the second time visited Ekaterinburg. Early in March Victor Kukharenko wards arrived in the Middle Urals' capital as the Cup of Russia quarterfinal participants, this time – to oppose the UMMC in the quarterfinal play-off series of the Championship of Russia. With the season's task - to enter the eight strongest teams - Victor Kukharenko squad has dealt successfully. However, the retinue from Novosibirsk failed to win the first game of the play-off series «till two wins», having thus greatly disappointed their tutor. The result of the match was gleaming on tableau as a silent speaking reproach.

UMMC – "Dynamo-GUVD" (Novosibirsk) 85:37
Quarters' results: 28-8, 18-15, 17-7, 22-7

The UMMC center Sandrine Gruda was the first to open the score, and was productive under the board for the host side. After yet another nailed ball of Sandrine Victor Kukharenko had to claim a time out: his team found themselves in a deep well – 18:2. Though, the minute didn't help the Siberian players to save the day: only two shots from the ground and two free-throws were the guests' respond in the first quarter – 28:8.

Maria Stepanova and Sandrine Gruda can be recognized the main heroes of the first ten for their 20 points' spurt. In this period the centers made 21 of 28 team's points on their way to the game-high 24 points and 8 rebounds of Sangrine, and the next «double-double» (12 points and 12 rebounds) of Maria.

Further Victor Kukharenko didn't take time outs. Neither did the head coach of UMMC Gundars Vetra: his wards perfectly coped with their task - 46:23.

However, after the half-time the UMMC smashed the opponents. The agressive «Foxes», who began to enjoy the action, forced the "Dynamo-GUVD" into defense more than offense. Over the last three minutes of the quarter "dynamo" players didn't score a point, while a three-pointer from Cappie Pondexter turned the guests' things worse – 63:30.

In the final ten Svetlana Abrosimova, Penny Taylor and Agnieszka Bibrzycka hit the ground running and extended the UMMC lead to the maximum 50 points – 84:34.

Gundars Vetra was satisfied with his wards' work on defense and noted it at the post-match press-conference:
- Tonight the team demonstrated their good skills in defence, having restricted the opponent to less than 10 points in three quarters. Regardless of the opponent, it's a good result.

UMMC is leading in the first play-off series «till two wins» - 1:0. The next meet of the teams will take place on March, 26, on DIVS "Uralochka" parquet. The game will start at 7 pm.

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