Our two Tall Ferns playing in Europe enjoyed mixed fortunes in recent play-off action.
Erin Rooney photo courtesy of Sandra Kochmanska
Erin Rooney’s club Artego Bydgoszcz was defeated 3-1 in the best of five semi-final series against Wisla Can in the Polish League play-off’s. Artego won the first game 68-65 but were beaten 81-66 in the second encounter, 68-63 in game three and 68-60 in the eliminator.
The Cantabrian guard averaged 18 minutes, 4 points, 3 rebounds and two assists across the four games.
Normally you would expect the season to be over following a play-off defeat but unusually Artego will play a 3rd/4th series against the other semi-final losers CCC Polkowice.
There was no such trouble for Jillian Harmon, the other Tall Fern playing in Europe. Her club Le Mura Lucca easily accounted for Pallacanestro Broni in the best of three Italian League quarter-final series. Lucca won 2-0 on the back of 69-39 and 85-35 score lines more reminiscent of a rep game mismatch than those normally associated with the professional game.
Harmon top scored with 16 points in the second game – Lucca now moving on to face Venezia in the semi-final series. The teams won one game apiece when they met in the regular season.
LACEY LOWDOWN 