St. Pölten – UBI Graz 58:41. In the first final of the “best-of-five” series, St. Pölten surprisingly faced UBI Graz. The Styrians sensationally prevailed against series champions Klosterneuburg in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
The SKN got into the game better and led 5-0. Graz shortened, but both teams acted nervously and had a very difficult time on offense. After five minutes it was only 5:4 for the SKN and in minute nine it was 7:6. The hosts ended the first quarter with a score of 12:8. Both teams missed three points: SKN had 1/9, Graz 0/7.
Due to the failures of Krisper and Kenens, St. Pölten’s bank was correspondingly understaffed. Head coach Lana Petrovic only made his first change in the 14th minute. With the score at 14:12, the SKN started a 7-0 run. At 28:17, Graz came close with eight points en suite, but St. Pölten responded with an 8-0. The second ten minutes were won 24:17, which meant an eleven-point lead at the break (36:25).
Orekhova in Finalform
Outstanding in the second quarter: Inga Orekhova with 15 points. The SKN increased its three-point rate slightly higher to 4/15, while the Styrians missed all ten long-range throws in the first half.
After the break, St. Pölten started with five points and led comfortably 41:25 in the 22nd minute. The hosts couldn’t let their lead be taken away. A 13:12 in the third quarter consolidated the lead, followed by a 9:4 in the final period. The Graz offensive was not suitable for the final with 41 points. The guests only sank 1/20 from distance. To do this, the SKN needs to work on its inferiority in rebounds: 37:54. The ball losses on both sides could be improved: 17:25.
Lana Petrovic, head coach, SKN St. Pölten: “We didn’t find our rhythm until late in the first half. Defensively we were super strong, but we were too slow from defense to offense. When we ran at speed it was great. An ugly victory. But it was important that we won the first game.”
Tanja Kuzmanovic, Headcoach, UBI Graz: “Defensively it was relatively okay, on offense, if we look at the odds, it was subpar. That was a crucial reason, we simply couldn’t score. And the second one was 25 turnovers, which is simply too much in a final game like this.”
SKN ST. PÖLTEN – UBI GRAZ 58:41 (12:8, 24:17, 13:12, 9:4).
SKN: Orekhova 18, Kunz 11, Wildbacher 11, A. Kolyandrova 10 (double-double with 10 rebounds), M. Kolyandrova 8, Feitl, Mayrhofer, Mölls.
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St. Pölten in the final series against Graz. The SKN basketball players have taken the first step towards the championship title. Surprise finalists UBI Graz were safely defeated in front of their home crowd. One player really stepped up in the second quarter.
2024-03-30 22:26:34
#Basketball #Pölten #final #series #Graz
