The basketballplayers of AutoCAD Amazone took a 81-68 against a concurrent Eurosped Twente for a place in the Final Four. Amber ‘AJ’ Jacksons was most successful with contributing a triple double with 23 points, 12 steqals and 10 rebounds. Besides Amazone played as a strong collective and Marloes Renskers was able to play more. ,,She was already better than three days,’’ was one of the analyses of coach Jan Poels. ,,That makes it easier for the team.’’

And also in the offensive way Amazone was able to spread out the scores over the team. Heather Zurich (19) and Maaike van de Bovenkamp (17) contributed many points. Also Sigrid van der Toorn reached the double figures with 13 points. In the fourth quarter both Van der Toorn and Charlotte Kromhout released three point hits and brought Amazone out of reach from the visitors from Tubbergen.

Competitor Jumpers had a base in only three players. ,,They didn’t have the body anymore in the end of the game,’’ said Poels about one of the decisive aspects of the game. Eurosped had to work to hard to find scores. Only in the beginning of the game the team was able to launch some fastbreaks and take an advantage. But halfway the game the control was in hands of Amazone, also of just a few turnovers during the game. ,In the end of the third quarter we decided the game,’’ said Poels. Eurosped still follow Amazone like a shadow, but the team ran out of fuel in the final quarter.

Because of the win of Amazone also Eurosped has one loss and in the final (fourth) round of the first half of the competition for the Final Four Eurosped will be the host when ProBuild Lions visits Tubbergen. Two weeks later ProBuild will come to Utrecht. And maybe coach Poels will have the possibility to play with the complete selection.

AutoCAD Amazone – Eurosped Twente 81-68 (15-19, 39-35, 59-54)

Scores Amazone: Amber Jackson 23 ( 12 steals, 10 rebs, 6 assists),Heather Zurich 19 (8 rebs), Maaike van de Bovenkamp 16, Sigrid van der Toorn 13,  Charlotte Kromhout 4, Marloes Renskers 4 (4 assists),  Britt Lansaat 4.

Shot: Inside: 19/32 (59%), outside 14/28 (50%), free throws 10/23 (43%). Rebounds: 26-24 (52%), Steals/interceptions: 21-11 (66%), Fastbreak points out of steals:6-2.

Luc Reuvers