At the Euroleague final four second runner-up match which was held in Sopron, Hungary, Near East University Women’s Basketball Team won a triumph over Dynamo Kursk with a score of 82-87. Resultantly, Near East University completed the Group B as the leader and has become among the final four teams of the 2017-2018 FIBA Women’s Euroleague Basketball Season; as the fourth.

According to the press release provided by the Near East University Sports Club, the match was played at Novamatic Arena and the Near East University Women’s Basketball Team consisted of Elin Eldebrink, Kayla McBride, Jantel Lavender, Sandrine Gruda, and Bahar Çağlar. /injured to to a finger dislocation, Courtney Vandersloot could not play at this match. The periods were completed as 20-19, 44-46, 66-75 and 82-85.

The match started off with the basket from Dynamo Kursk. On the other hand, the first basket of Near East University was scored by Sandrine Gruda, equating the score as 2-2 within the first minute of the match. Then, Kalya McBride scored a three point basket, causing Near East University to lead the match as 5-2. Within the first four minutes of the period, the score reached 7-10; where Dynamo Kursk leaded the game. In the last three minutes of the period, the score reached 13-15. The most effective players of the game were Elin Eldebrink, Quanitra Hollingsvorth and Kayla McBride. Then Near East University completed the first period ahead with 20-19.

The second period of the match started off with a basket scored by Dynamo Kursk making the score 22-21. Later the first half of the game was completed with the dominance of Dynamo Kursk with a score of 44-46. As for the third period of the match, Near East University closed the score difference with Dyanmo Kursk making the score 66-68; with baskets scored by Sandrine Gruda and Elin Eldebrink. Finally, the fourth period began with the basket scored by Near East University, making the score 68-75. Later, the Near East University started to play effectively. In the last three minutes of the match, Dynamo Kurks achieved a score difference of 10 points and gradually completed the match with a triumph of 82-87; making Dynamo Kursk the third of the FIBA Women’s Euroleague 2017-2018.

Highlights of…
Near East University: Elin Eldebrink scored 21 points, 3 assists; Kayla McBride scored 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists; Jantel Lavender scored 15 points, 9 rebounds; Sandrine Gruda scored 11 points, 6 rebounds; Quanitra Hollignsvorth scored 8 points and 7 rebounds, 4 assists; Bahar Çağlar scored 4 points, 2 rebounds; Cansu Köksal scored 4 points.

Dynamo Kursk: Sona Petrovic scored 24 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists; Natlaia Zhedik scored 18 points, 4 rebounds, Maria Vadeeva scored 16 points, 7 rebounds; Nnemkadi Ogwumike scored 12 points, 5 rebounds; Anna Cruz scored 9 points, and 8 rebounds.

Zafer Kalaycıoğlu: “It is a great success to be within the final four!”
Making a statement on the matter, Chief Coach of Near East University Women’s Basketball Team Zafer Kalaycıoğlu stated that it was not meant to be and that they were happy to the fourth in the Eruoleague as being among the final four is also a great success. He congratulated everyone on the team for their great effort in achieving to be the fourth in the FIBA Eurolegue.