05 May 2006
Schumacher and Tornikidou attack the Palau and even up the series
05/05/2006 Perfumerias Avenida have evened up the series in the Women's League Final after imposing their will on UB Barca by a score of 78-66. So the Catalans come into Salamanca at 1-1 in the series, making for a most emotional Women's League final. The next meeting will take place on Sunday at 12:30 in Salamanca.
By Oscar Cuesta (translated by JMac)
From the outset, Perfumerias Avenida commanded the paint, were much better set on defense, collapsed on the posts (above all on Erika de Souza) and controlled the perimeter, managing to almost completely cancel out Marta Fernandez (4-8). The key was to be in control of the offensive rebounds, which caused a lot of trouble for UB Barca. Tornikidou began to score from mid-range, putting the team on her back and opening the score up by more than 10 points (18-5 in the 8th minute).
The home team were stunned, unable to react, and their defense allowed the visitors to take over the game as much inside as outside. Taj McWilliams, Perfumerias' latest signing, struck gold in the paint between the Azulgrana towers.
Silvia Font's team began to respond a bit, from 10 points down, but Laura Camps and newcomer Taj McWilliams extended the lead to a high of 19 points (35-16 in the 14th minute).
The visiting rotations began scoring and while the American and Tornikidou stayed outside the lane, UB Barca managed to narrow the gap during the interval (41-27).
In the third quarter, the Catalanas focused on on defense and, playing with more intensity in the lane, began to show that they could get into the game. They closed to 11 points but with a lot of problems on offense. In every way, the Salmantinas always controlled the gap, never letting it fall to ten points. Nevertheless, Perfumeria's stars got in foul trouble too quickly. Nuria Martinez already had four fouls in the 28th minute, and Schumacher and Taj McWilliams had the same by the last period.
UB Barca stuck with their best option in the running game, pushing the tempo on offense, and with a three by Helen Luz got beyond a ten-point deficit for the first time (63-56). Her three-ball brought hope to the home team and pressured the passing lanes, managing to pick up five points in less than two minutes (66-61).
At the last, Perfumeria Avenia kept a cool head and didn't let the rival come any closer, controlling the game action, the ball movement, and deciding the game with free throws, especially with those by Schumacher.
After UB Barca's recovery, the game ended much more quietly.
Source article:
Schumacher y Tornikidou asaltan el Palau e igualan la eliminatoria
