Lithuania give lesson to GB women

By Rob Dugdale
in Cardiff

GB's Jo Leedham (r) battles for the ball with Lithuania's Milda Sauliute

Great Britain's women's team were well beaten 82-63 by former European champions Lithuania in their second European qualifying tie in Cardiff.

After taking a 15-8 lead, Great Britain allowed the visitors to score 16 points without reply on their way to posting a 10-point half-time lead.

A 17-2 run in the second half snuffed out any chance of a GB comeback.

Megan Moody's 16 points led GB and Johannah Leedham added 14. Sandra Valuzyte hit 20 points for Lithuania.

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"We just played a very good basketball team," said GB coach Mark Clark. "They’re the highest-ranked team in Europe that has to qualify this year."

Megan Moody and Leedham both had strong games but GB committed 19 turnovers and were punished ruthlessly as Lithuania converted baskets on the break.

"It was turnovers and offensive rebounds that they got – in blocks of time," noted Clark. "Their basketball IQ is very high.

"But at times we showed that we can play at this level. Jo Leedham showed tonight that she’s an A Division player.

"As long as we learn from this we can stay up in this division."