Archive for the ‘abrosimova’ Category

Ekaterinburg Sweeps Russian Finals

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

While the outcome wasn’t necessarily surprising, the fashion was. With a 73-67 home victory in Game 3, UMMC Ekaterinburg swept Spartak Moscow Region in the Russian Superleague Finals to repeat as Russian champions. Spartak got off to a slow start in the back-to-back, trailing by 11 after a quarter and 15 at the half, but rallied to actually take a three-point lead during the fourth quarter. Ekaterinburg answered with an 8-0 run to reclaim command, and Spartak’s hopes were dashed when Diana Taurasi was called for a charge with 24 seconds left and Cappie Pondexter followed with two free throws.

Candace Parker put together another phenomenal all-around game, scoring 25 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and handing out five assists. Pondexter (12) and Sandrine Gruda and Deanna Nolan (11 apiece) joined Parker in double-figure scoring for Ekaterinburg. Svetlana Abrosimova had two points and two boards in 20 minutes of action off the bench.

Taurasi, who fouled out on the late charge, was again unable to duplicate her Euroleague Final Four heroics. Taurasi knocked down four three-pointers, but needed 17 shots to score her 17 points. Sylvia Fowles had 15 points and 11 rebounds for Spartak, and Sue Bird contributed 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting and a pair of assists.

This is the second consecutive year that Spartak and Ekaterinburg have split the two biggest prizes available to them, with Spartak winning the Euroleague and Ekaterinburg the Russian crown. Previously, Spartak had won back-to-back Russian titles.

The good news of the series ending in a sweep is it means Abrosimova and Bird are headed to Seattle. We should find out more about their timetable for arriving at practice on Friday.

Ekaterinburg Goes Up 2-0

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Tuesday’s Game 2 of the Russian Superleague Finals will be remembered for two things – Candace Parker and free throws. Also, perhaps, Candace Parker free throws. Parker scored 43 points and was 13-of-16 from the charity stripe (including a perfect 8-of-8 in the fourth quarter) as UMMC Ekaterinburg defeated Spartak Moscow Region 87-79 at home to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

Parker was unstoppable, making 13 shots in 21 attempts, including all four of her three-point attempts. Parker also grabbed nine rebounds and drew 11 fouls. Spartak was called for 26 as a team, with three starters (Sylvia Fowles, Irina Osipova and Diana Taurasi) fouling out. Fowles lasted just 14 minutes on the floor. Taurasi scored 14 points, but it was an off night, as she shot 5-of-18 from the field.

Sue Bird picked up the slack for Spartak on offense, scoring 20 points and shooting 8-of-14. Spartak held a two-point lead entering the fourth quarter, but Ekaterinburg never trailed again after starting the period with an 8-0 run.

Svetlana Abrosimova, with 13 points, was Ekaterinburg’s second-leading scorer.

Ekaterinburg will go for the sweep on Wednesday at home.