Scotland U16 Women fell agonisingly short in their quest to reach the FIBA U16 European Championship Division C final with a 65-63 loss to Georgia.
Scotland reached the semi finals with wins over Wales and Malta following an opening game defeat to Cyprus, whilst Georgia topped Group A with wins over Moldova and Gibraltar.
Georgia opened the scoring with a layup and extended their lead to 4-0 before three-pointers from Taryn Cummins (15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists) and Jenni Torrance (13 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists) swung the game in Scotland’s favour. Emma Dunsire (11 points, 2 rebounds, 6 steals) added a layup as Scotland scored eight without reply.
Georgia added a single point from the free throw line but Marie Morrison found the basket for Scotland as they extended their advantage to six. The Georgian side ended the first strongly however, netting back-to-back baskets as they reduced the deficit to a single point by the end of the quarter. 15-14.
Scotland made a great start to the second with a 9-2 scoring run, which included back-to-back baskets from Cummins, the latter from outside the arc. This was followed by a low scoring period, with just a single basket – in Georgia’s favour – for several minutes.
With neither team having any luck offensively, Georgia called a time out with three minutes left in the half and after four scoreless minutes it was Georgia who found the basket to make it a four-point game. Cummins again popped up to add points for Scotland but a three from Georgia kept the game close as the half ended. 26-24.
Georgia flew out the traps in the third, embarking on a 9-1 streak as they came from behind to open up a six-point advantage. The scoring run was extended as Georgia hit two for two from the free throw, before Dunsire halted the run with a lay up for Scotland. Georgia soon hit back again, opening up an eight-point gap.
Eva Morrison (12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) came to Scotland’s rescue with a three-pointer and follow up basket, reducing the gap to three and forcing a Georgian time out. This sparked Scotland into life as Dunsire and Rose Harvey restored Scotland’s lead. The teams traded basket for basket in the final minutes of the quarter, with Georgia finishing Strongly to hold the advantage. 40-46.
With Georgia starting the fourth as they finished the third, Scotland needed something and back-to-back baskets from Torrance and Cummins reduced the deficit to just two points. Georgia again edged ahead before Cummins replied from the free throw line and Torrance added two to her tally as Scotland fought to stay in the game.
With six minutes left Niamh Rana tied the game, 53-53, and Eva Morrison bucketed from downtown as Scotland again claimed the lead. Marie Morrison added a driving lay up and suddenly it was advantage Scotland with three minutes left on the clock.
A minute later it was all square as an and one from Georgia took the game to 58-58. Georgia again pulled ahead meaning when Scotland called a time out with a minute remaining, they were trailing by four. Torrance and Eva Morrison added baskets for Scotland but it wasn’t enough as Georgia took the win by just two points. 63-65.
Scotland will now compete with Moldova for the bronze medal tomorrow.
