Article Leidsch Dagblad 24 January 2011.
Even though
STOL-Grasshoppers took a big lead of 31-15 after the first quarter of play,
they were unable to win from Den Helder after 40
minutes. The match in Katwijk ended in a 80-84 win for Den Helder
(after 49-38 at halftime).
Via 18-11, Grasshoppers
took a wider lead (thanks to 3-pointers by Anouk Breel and Rianne Philippo)
from 25-13 to 31-15 after 10 minutes of play.
Den Helder
is able to come closer in the second quarter, but at 45-38, their center Maxime Essenstam (playing for Leiderdorp last season) has an unfortunate fall and
dislocates her shoulder. This happened after an unlucky rebound duel with
American Heather Stec from Grasshoppers.
After the halftime rest,
Den Helder quickly closes the scoring gap. Despite
retreating in a time-out at 51-47, the score goes to 51-50, and then Den Helder takes a small lead for the first time. Eline
Kraaijenoord brings Grasshoppers back to 58-59 at the end of the 3rd quarter.
When the score goes to
60-68 it looks like Grasshoppers are beaten, but two 3-pointers from Missy Mitidiero (one from around the middle line) again tie the
score at 71-71, with less than 5 minutes to play. Grasshoppers again fight back
from 71-76 to 76-76 and a little later to 80-80. The last points are for Den Helder via the free throw line, and Grasshoppers are left
empty handed.
Top scorers Grasshoppers: Stec 18, Kuijt 15, Mitidiero 15,
Philippo 11