Near East University played a game against Mersin Büyükşehir Belediyesi (BŞB) at the eighth week of the Turkish Women’s Basketball League and won a triumph with a score difference of 14 points; NEU: 89- BŞB: 75, which brought NEU its seventh victory in the league so far.
According to the press release issued by the Near East University Sports Club the match between NEU and Mersin Büyükşehir Belediyesi (BŞB) was held at Istanbul Caferağa Sports Hall and Kayla Macbride from NEU Women’s Basketball Team became the highest scorer of the match by scoring 25 points; and with Courtney Vandersloot contributions a total of 45 points were scored.
It was pointed out that the Near East University women’s basketball team started the match with Cansu Köksal, Bahar Çağlar, Kayla McBride, Courtney Vandersloot, and Jantel Lavender. Each period was completed with scores 25-21, 40-39,-, 63-56 and 89-75.
Providing further details, it was stated that the match commenced with Courtney Vandersloot’s lay- up. Then, the first period was completed with Near East University’s dominance with a score of 25-21. Both teams competitively played the period and both teams had 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Later, the second period started off with Mersin BŞB’s basket, taking the score to 25-25. Continuing with a high pace, Near East University completed the second period with a point ahead with 40-39 while Jantel Lavender, Courtney Vandersloot and Kayla McBride alone scored 34 points in total.
The third period continued to keep the excitement of the match alive with Kayla McBride’s basket; making the score 42-39. Later, the Near East University completed the match 7 points ahead with the score reaching 63-56. During the final period, Near East University women’s basketball team continued to show a great performance; such that subsequent to a time-out, Lavender and Ann Wauters from NEU extended the score difference up to 15 points, taking the score to 75-60. The 4.0580-67 score was passed and the score was taken to 82-69 as the match approached its last three minutes. It was stated that both teams had competed well but that Near East University’s outstanding performance, the match ended with a score of 89-75, making the NEU the winner of the game.
Prominent players of this match from Near East University:
The prominent players of Near East University at this match were: Kayla McBride 25 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists; Courtney Vandersloot 20 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists; Jantel Lavender 17 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists; Ann Wauters 12 points, 3 rebounds; Bahar Çağlar 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists; Olcay Çakır 4 points, 2 rebounds.
Prominent players of this match from Mersin BŞB:
The prominent players of Mersin BSB were: Marica Gajic 16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists; Bria Hartley 15 points, 6 assists; Krystal Thomas 14 points, 8 rebounds; Asena Yalçın 10 points, 5 assists; Melike Oral 7 points.
Zafer Kalaycıoğlu: “We played a rather effective match”
Head Coach of Near East University Women’s Basketball Team Zafer Kalaycıoğlu made a statement regarding the match and stated that they had played a rather effective match which provided them with a triumph over Mersin BŞB. He stated that their main aim is to complete the season as the winner and that it was advantageous to be the host at playoff matches. He further added that they were currently having a good season and that they had other matches coming up. He added that they were quite happy as a team. Furthermore, he said that Quanitra needed to rest a little bit more and that they had missed seeing her play at the matches. He ended his words by stating that they wanted to create a team that will be the source of pride for the Turkish Cypriot community and that they will be continuing to work hard to achieve this.
