London Lions advance to EuroCup Women quarter-finals

Image credit: FIBA

London Lions have moved into the last eight of EuroCup Women after overcoming Spanish side Lointek Gernika in their Round of 16 matchup.

The British side backed up their seven-point advantage from the first leg with a 87-59 victory – winning 163-128 on aggregate – at the Copper Box in Thursday’s second leg encounter to continue their historic run.

Temi Fagbenle top scored with 16 points on 8-11 shooting along with eight rebounds with Karlie Samuelson adding 15 points. Kat Snytsina was also in double figures with 12 points and seven assists.

Box score.

London jumped out to an 11-2 start in the second leg to establish early control; leading by as many as 17 points in the opening quarter. They maintained the upperhand as they took a 47-31 advantage into the half before Gernika started the third with a 9-0 run.

Kat Snytsina stopped the rot from behind the arc, while Savannah Wilkinson came off the bench to make an impact on both ends in the midst of a 13-3 response. London continued the momentum in the fourth as the lead on the night reached the 20-point mark at 71-51, and they closed out the victory in style.

The Lions are now the highest remaining seed in the competition after two-time winners Bourges – who knocked out the Lions two seasons ago – were beaten by Turkish side Besiktas.

London knocked out Turkish opposition in the form of Bursa in the first playoffs matchup, and will have to do so again in the last eight with Melikgazi Kayseri overcoming NKA Pecs – who had eliminated Caledonia Gladiators in their debut season.

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