National League Round 1 of Semi-Finals. Coopenae and Coronado celebrate victories

Coopenae - Santo Domingo 59-34

Coopenae held off Santo Domingo in the opener. Coopenae held Santo Domingo to an opponent 24.1 percent shooting from the field compared to 39.3 percent accuracy of the winners. Coopenae forced 20 Santo Domingo turnovers and outrebounded them 53-38 including 41 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international center Ana Matamoros (190-93) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists. Andrea Solano (-96) contributed with 8 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. The former international power forward Jennifer Sanchez (178-96) answered with 5 points and 8 rebounds and Veronica Castro added 2 points and 12 rebounds in the effort for Santo Domingo. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games.
Top scorers:
Coopenae: A.Matamoros 20+18reb+4ast, S.Betancourt 12+6reb+2ast, P.Mora 8+5reb+1ast, S.Andrea 8+11reb+3ast, P.Jeimy 4+3reb, G.Maria 3+4reb
Santo Domingo: B.Alfaro 12+2reb, M.Villalobos 6+4reb+1ast, J.Sanchez 5+8reb+3ast, F.Conejo 3, G.Paola 2+4reb, C.Cindy 2+5reb+2ast

Coronado - Heredia 62-53

Coronado toppled Heredia for 1-0 lead. Coronado forced 26 Heredia turnovers. Strangely Heredia outrebounded Coronado 49-33 including a 40-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. The former international guard Natalia Galvez (170-84) stepped up and scored 19 points for the winners and Zeida Zorilla chipped in 6 points and 12 rebounds. Coronado's coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side center Ariana Mora (181-3) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 15 rebounds and Krystel Thorpe (-3) scored 7 points and 10 rebounds.
Top scorers:
Coronado: N.Galvez 19+2reb+1ast, S.Jimenez 14+2reb, L.Castro 8+4reb+1ast, Z.Zeida 6+12reb+2ast, R.Retana 4, M.Malavassi 4+9reb+3ast
Heredia: A.Mora 10+15reb+1ast, V.Gonzalez 10+6reb, M.Cervantes 9+8reb, T.Allison 8+5reb, T.Krystel 7+10reb+1ast, C.Maripaz 3+1reb+1ast



Tags : ANA MATAMOROS, COOPENAE ARBA SAM RAMON, COSTA RICAN BASKETBALL