GB U20 Women Beaten by Hosts, Now 2-1

By Bradley Gains on July 10, 2017

Great Britain Under-20’s suffered their first defeat at the European Championships after losing 88-50 to hosts, Israel, in Eilat on Monday.

Chema Buceta’s side put up a brave fight, but could not contain their opponents on the perimeter as Israel fired in 15 triples during the contest.

Gabby Nikitinaite top scored with a team-high 18 points and also claimed eight rebounds, while Shanice Norton was also in double figures with 13 points.

GB U20s fall 88-50 to #FIBAU20Europe hosts, Israel 🇮🇱. @gabsszz with team-high 18pts, @ShanNorts14 13p. Now 2-1 in Group B. 🇬🇧🏀 pic.twitter.com/SoGlqhdui1

— Hoopsfix Women (@HoopsfixWomen) July 10, 2017

GB quickly fell 12-2 behind with Israel catching fire from downtown as they established a commanding lead. A 6-0 run boosted GB, but they still trailed 25-12 at the end of the first.

Two more triples followed early in the second with a 12-0 start to the second before the drought was broken by Norton, though GB managed just five points in total in the period to go into half-time trailing 47-17.

GB were more aggressive on the offensive end in the third with Nikitinaite and Norton combining for 17 points as the two teams shared 44 points to make it 69-39.

The visitors kept battling with Vicky Gray firing in a three, but there was no let up from Israel and they closed out the game in fitting style with yet another score from downtown.

While Israel poured in 15/32 shooting from 3-point range, it was more of a struggle for GB as they landed just 3-of-26 in comparison.

Box score.

Note: GB’s starters were Davies, Norton, Gayle, Nikitinaite & Stevens.

GB U20s return to action on Wednesday when they take on Belarus at 2pm UK time.

Image credit: FIBA

Do you like our work?

We have a tiny favour to ask. In 2018 we set out to make Hoopsfix sustainable by building our relationship directly with our readers. Up until now, Hoopsfix has been creating editorials, videos and podcasts to provide sorely missing coverage of the British game and its distinct culture and community.

We have funded Hoopsfix with our freelance work creating basketball media, but sadly that means not only does it fall behind our client’s priorities, but some of those clients are the same organisations we need to report objectively on putting us in a conflicted position.

We want to devote more time to our mission of helping British basketball reach its potential, and produce even more content for the basketball community by making Hoopsfix a sustainable 100% independent business funded directly by our readers through Patreon.

If everyone who enjoys our content chose to support us, our future would be much more secure. For as little as $3 per month, you can support Hoopsfix – and it only takes a minute.

We are tremendously honoured and humbled to have a community of people who value what we do, and we look forward to being at the forefront of the British game as it continues to evolve.

Support Hoopsfix