Naidjonova scores 16, Latvia U17 girls fall to Slovenia in friendly
Latvia's U17 women's basketball team lost to Slovenia 47:65 on Friday, June 19, in Rogla. Jeļizaveta Naidjonova led Latvia with 16 points as both teams prepare for the World Cup.
Latvia's U17 women's basketball team suffered a 47:65 defeat to Slovenia in their first friendly match on Friday, June 19, in Rogla. Both teams are gearing up for the FIBA U17 World Cup, scheduled for July 11-19 in Brno, Czech Republic.
Slovenia, the reigning European U16 vice-champion, fielded 15 players, including ten from last year's silver medal team. Latvia used 12 players, with three logging over 20 minutes: Jeļizaveta Naidjonova, Melānija Lagunoviča, and Darina Ivanova.
The Latvians won the second quarter 18-16 and trailed by just one point at halftime (30-31). In the second half, Slovenia gradually extended their lead, closing the game with a 13-3 run.
Naidjonova was the top scorer for Latvia with 16 points, accounting for about a third of the team's total. Šarlote Skrebele and Darina Ivanova added 8 points each, Monta Čulkstēna 5, Melānija Lagunoviča 3, while Patrīcija Tikmere, Evelīna Sirsniņa, Kerlīna Balode, and Madara Šakalova scored 1 or 2 points. Marta Arsentjeva, Enija Brokāne, and Adele Priedīte were held scoreless. Elīza Omula and Laura Ķikuste did not play.
Latvia will continue their preparation with more friendlies in Slovenia on June 20 and later in La Palma, Spain (July 3-5) against Spain, Canada, and Ivory Coast.
At the World Cup, Latvia is drawn in Group A alongside the USA, Australia, and Ivory Coast. Their first game will be against Australia.
