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The "Foxes" lose to the "Lionesses" in tough battle

The "Foxes" lose to the "Lionesses" in tough battle

In the first home game of the year in the Fonbet Championship of Russia – Superleague, UMMC-Junior was unable to make a comeback in the final moments and suffered a defeat to the "Vladimir Lionesses" with a score of 67:71.

Scores by quarter: 23:13, 14:21, 14:21, 16:16


The first quarter began in a rather unproductive manner, as if both teams were just sizing each other up. The players from Yekaterinburg were the first to find their rhythm: Maria Sedyakina confidently scored 7 points, becoming the key player of the opening segment. The "Lionesses" struggled with their accuracy, which allowed the home team to finish the quarter with a solid lead - 23:13. Five consecutive points from Alina Gaiazova, which capped off the first period, looked particularly impressive.


In the second quarter, the visitors rallied, narrowing the gap to a minimum. The team of Elena Kuzmina had to rely on free throws several times, as the number of team fouls was rapidly increasing. However, the self-possession of Odintsova, who scored from beyond the arc and from mid-range, helped the younger "Foxes" maintain their lead. The teams went into halftime with a score of 37:34 in favor of UMMC-Junior, and the tension in the arena noticeably increased.


The third quarter became a turning point in the game. The players from Yekaterinburg made a powerful start thanks to Alina Gaiazova (+4 points), but the "Lionesses", led by Svetlana Rozanova, who had already scored 14 points, responded with a series of successful attacks. The visitors found the weak spots in the home team's defense, tied the score, and then took the lead. Before the decisive quarter, the "Vladimir Lionesses" were ahead 55:51, making the crowd hold its breath.   


In the final quarter, the team of Maxim Polyakov intensified their pressure and increased their lead to double digits. The juniors struggled to hit the basket for a long time, but an accurate three-pointer from Maria Sedyakina restored hope for a comeback. However, the heroic efforts of the younger "Foxes" fell short - the final buzzer recorded a score of 67:71. The visitors claimed victory, but the Yekaterinburg team still has a chance to take revenge in tomorrow's battle.     


The highest-scoring player among the hosts was Maria Sedyakina with 14 points and 8 rebounds, while Odintsova and Gaiazova each scored 12 points.    
In the squad of the "Lionesses," Ksenia Mikhaylova stood out with 21 points, Svetlana Rozanova had 16, and Kristina Kord and Maria Antoshina each scored 10 points. 
The teams will play again tomorrow at 1:00 PM.