Lisbon’s Benfica, the reigning Portuguese women’s basketball champions, recorded their second consecutive EuroCup loss Wednesday, struggling to overcome a significant deficit against Poland’s Zaglebie and now face the prospect of falling to the bottom of Group K.
The 73-63 defeat in Sosnowiec, Poland, saw Benfica trailing by 22 points at halftime, a gap they ultimately could not close despite a spirited second-half performance.
Zaglebie established an early lead, ending the first quarter 21-11 and extending it to 44-22 by the break. Catherine Reese led the Polish side with 18 points, supported by Sydney Taylor’s 16.
Benfica’s Zuzanna Puc scored 13 points, and Marcy Gonçalves added 11, as the team rallied to win the final two periods 22-12 and 19-17, narrowing the final margin to 10 points.
This latest setback follows an opening 64-55 home loss to Spain’s Ferrol. Benfica currently holds third place in Group K.
The outcome of another group match later Wednesday, between Ferrol and SBS Ostrava, could relegate the Portuguese champions to last place.
Benfica is scheduled to host the Czech team Ostrava on October 23 in Odivelas for their next EuroCup fixture.