Bozan, Bilic Power Croatia Past Latvia
Croatia delivered a commanding offensive performance to secure a 97-84 victory over Latvia at the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket. The Croatians established a significant 17-point lead by halftime (56-39), showcasing superior shooting efficiency at 49% from the field compared to Latvia's 31%. Despite a Latvian resurgence that narrowed the deficit to just four points entering the final period (68-64), Croatia found another gear to seal the win. Petra Bozan's dominant double-double, featuring 26 points and 18 rebounds, and Lena Bilic's explosive 35-point effort were pivotal. These two stars combined for 61 points, overshadowing Latvia's double-doubles from Evelina Otto (14 points, 12 rebounds) and Anna Liepina (16 points, 10 rebounds). Croatia also capitalized on strong free-throw shooting, converting 86% of their attempts to Latvia's 72%, which proved crucial in maintaining their advantage. This win serves as a significant statement of intent from Croatia in the tournament.