// 04 November 2009
EuroLeague Women newcomers Rivas Ecopolis won for the second week running on Wednesday night with a surprise 83-76 victory at USK Prague.
Having opened their account seven days ago with an 85-60 home triumph over another side making its debut this year in the competition, KSSSE AZS-PWSZ Gorzow, Rivas hit the road and prevailed at Prague after a nightmare start for the reigning Czech champions.
Prague didn't score until Lindsay Whalen made the second of two free-throws with 5:20 remaining in the first quarter.
After an Anna Cruz lay-up took the Rivas lead to 20-1, Marketa Bednarova finally made a shot from the floor for Prague with 1:21 to go in the opening frame.
She buried a three-pointer to close the gap to 20-4.
Lubor Blazek's side didn't give up, though, and instead stormed back in the second quarter.
Getting a spark on offense from Czech international Katerina Elhotova, who had 10 first-half points, Prague clawed the deficit back to 37-35 but ended up going to the break trailing 40-35.
Crystal Langhorne had 12 points and Spain international Cruz eight at the interval for Rivas.
Prague looked as if they may get the job done when Lindsay Whalen scored seven consecutive points, including a three-ball early in the third quarter, to give the home side a 44-42 advantage.
Not long after, though, with the game knotted at 46-46, Rivas' defense swung the momentum their way for the rest of the game.
On four straight possessions for Prague midway through the third quarter, Rivas came up with steals and scored after each - the last with a Catherine Joens' three-pointer to make it 55-46.
They stayed in front for the remainder of the game.
Prague ended up with 18 turnovers compared to nine for Rivas.
Langhorne finished with a game-high 32 points while Cruz led all players in the contest with five steals.
The exciting youngster also walked off the floor with 16 points.
