University of Tennessee Athletics
Suárez, Spain Drop Nail-Biter
August 14, 2021 | Women's Basketball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Marta Suárez scored four of her eight points down the stretch, but Spain came up just short Saturday, falling to the Czech Republic, 66-63, inside the Hodos Imre Sports Hall at the 2021 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Debrecen (DEB-ret-sin), Hungary.
Spain's record in the tournament fell to 3-3. It will wrap up play in the event on Sunday at 5:30 a.m. ET, facing off against Russia (4-2) at the same venue.
Suárez tallied eight points for the second straight game, connecting on three of seven field goal attempts and both free throw opportunities. She added five rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals in 24 minutes of action, coming off the bench for the first time after starting the previous five contests.
The teams played to a 16-all stalemate in the first quarter, but the Czech Republic forged a five-point lead entering the final frame after outscoring Spain 18-16 in the second and 18-15 in the third.
The Czech Republic pushed its advantage to seven multiple times in the fourth period, but Spain fought back on each occasion. Suárez hit back-to-back buckets with her team trailing 64-57. Her first was a layup with 2:34 to go, followed by a jumper on the next possession to trim the Czech edge to 64-61 with 2:10 left on the clock. Spain, however, was unable to get over the hump, with a last-second heave from long range missing the mark.
Suárez, who impressively worked her way back from an injury that prematurely ended her freshman season at UT to earn a roster spot for Spain, has started five of six games in the tournament and is averaging 17.8 minutes per contest after playing a tournament-high 24 minutes on Saturday. She has contributed 7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals per outing for a very balanced squad.
Spain's record in the tournament fell to 3-3. It will wrap up play in the event on Sunday at 5:30 a.m. ET, facing off against Russia (4-2) at the same venue.
Suárez tallied eight points for the second straight game, connecting on three of seven field goal attempts and both free throw opportunities. She added five rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals in 24 minutes of action, coming off the bench for the first time after starting the previous five contests.
The teams played to a 16-all stalemate in the first quarter, but the Czech Republic forged a five-point lead entering the final frame after outscoring Spain 18-16 in the second and 18-15 in the third.
The Czech Republic pushed its advantage to seven multiple times in the fourth period, but Spain fought back on each occasion. Suárez hit back-to-back buckets with her team trailing 64-57. Her first was a layup with 2:34 to go, followed by a jumper on the next possession to trim the Czech edge to 64-61 with 2:10 left on the clock. Spain, however, was unable to get over the hump, with a last-second heave from long range missing the mark.
Suárez, who impressively worked her way back from an injury that prematurely ended her freshman season at UT to earn a roster spot for Spain, has started five of six games in the tournament and is averaging 17.8 minutes per contest after playing a tournament-high 24 minutes on Saturday. She has contributed 7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals per outing for a very balanced squad.
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