GB Under-18s Reach Semi-Finals with Impressive Victory

By Bradley Gains on August 11, 2017

Great Britain Under-18s overcame a slow start to storm into the semi-finals at the European Championships after beating Romania 55-46 in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.

Vanessa Ellis’ side faced a double-digit deficit early in the second, but powered back into the game before holding their nerve down the stretch to reach the last four.

Semi-finals! GB U18s take down unbeaten Romania 🇷🇴 55-46 to edge closer to #FIBAU18Europe promotion. Winterburn 21p; Lozzi 6p/9r/5a/5st. 🇬🇧🏀 pic.twitter.com/5M2IRuKF2m

— Hoopsfix Women (@HoopsfixWomen) August 11, 2017

Holly Winterburn top scored with 21 points in the win, while Shauna Harrison added 12 points with Dani Lozzi contributing six points, nine rebounds, five assists and five steals.

Box score.

GB were slow to settle as they faced an early 12-4 deficit with Winterburn scoring her side’s first seven points with the gap increasing to nine at 18-9 after 10 minutes.

Early in the second, GB were 24-13 down, but put together a pivotal 17-0 run with 3-pointers from Harrison, Jade Blackburn and Winterburn to storm into the lead – 30-26 ahead at half-time.

A low-scoring third period ensued after the break with both sides battling at both ends of the floor. GB led by as many as eight, but would take a narrow 38-36 advantage into the final period after being held to single figures.

Winterburn netted an early triple in the fourth to put GB up five, but Romania edged ahead at 43-44 inside the final four minutes.

GB restored their advantage through Harrison and Lozzi as a tense finale loomed.

After a few nervy possessions, Maya Price doubled GB’s two-point advantage before Blackburn nailed a huge trey to make it 51-44 inside the final minute.

That proved to be decisive as GB were able to wrap up an impressive win from the line to book a semi-final clash with Germany.

Tournament hosts, Ireland face Poland in the opening semi-final.

Image credit: FIBA

Notes

– GB’s starters were Lozzi, Ellmore, Winterburn, Blackburn & Knowles
– Romania went through the group stage unbeaten with five wins
– GB are now just one win from promotion and face Germany in tomorrow’s semi

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