EC for Small Countries: Wales edge Azerbaijan in overtime

Sarah Wagstaff

Wales - Azerbaijan 69:67 (OT)

Wales celebrated the first victory at the European Championship for Small Countries. They defeated Azerbaijan in Group B. Wales improved at 1-2 record, while Azerbaijan slipped at 0-3 record.
Wales jumped to a 19:13 lead after the opening quarter. Azerbaijan narrowed the gap at 4-point mark at the interval 34:30. Wales stepped on the gas in the third term. They stretched the margin at 14-point mark at the third intermission. But Azerbaijan triggered a 21:7 run in the fourth frame to force overtime. Wales outscored Azerbaijan 7:5 in the extra period and escapes with a narrow win at the end. Sarah Wagstaff (173-G-86) delivered 26 points and 8 rebounds for Wales. Laura Shanahan (170-G-89) added 12 points in the victory. Dina Ulyanova (185-SF-89) answered with 25 points and 11 rebounds fro Azerbaijan. Tatyana Deniskina (173-SG-85) netted 21 points, grabbed 10 boards and issued 6 assists in the defeat.

Wales: Sarah Wagstaff 26, Laura Shanahan 12, Melanie Curson (180-F-89) 9
Azerbaijan: Dina Ulyanova 25+11 boards, Tatyana Deniskina 21+10 boards