Latvia's Bench Powers Past Italy
Latvia's bench provided the spark, powering a 75-61 victory over Italy at the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket.
The game's decisive swing came in the second quarter, where Latvia outscored Italy 26-11 to build a lead they would not relinquish.
Despite a strong rebounding effort (45-40) and 16 steals, Italy struggled offensively, shooting just 29% from the field. Emma Zuccon anchored the defense with 18 rebounds and five steals, while Emma Giacchetti poured in 20 points and six assists. However, Latvia's depth proved too much, as their bench outscored Italy's 35-18.
Evelina Otto recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, complemented by 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists from fellow reserve Madara Smite. Kitija Muzikante added 15 points. Latvia entered the fourth quarter with a comfortable 56-48 lead and extended it to the final 14-point margin.
This commanding performance signals Latvia's intent and builds significant momentum within the tournament.