The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Grand Bahamian Jonquel Jones posted another double-double to help Bosnia and Herzegovina win their first playoff game to stay alive in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Championships.

In a do-or-die situation, Bosnia and Herzegovina moved on to the quarterfinals with an 80-69 triumph over Croatia yesterday in Strasbourg, France.

Jones, who has not given up her Bahamian citizenship to play for the international team, came up with a game high honour of 24 points and 27 rebounds - 15 on the defensive end.

In 38 minutes and 12 seconds of play, Jones went 8-of-19 or 41.1 percent from the field, 6-of-15 or 40 percent from two-shot, 2-of-4 or 50 percent from the three-point line and 6-of-7 or 85.7 percent from the free throw line.

In addition to the double-double, Jones also contributed five assists, three blocked shots, a steal and made four turnovers while committing three personal fouls.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s next best scorer was Nikolina Babic with 17 points and six assists.

For Croatia, Ivana Dojkic had a side high 22 points and seven rebounds.After a day’s rest today, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be back in action on Wednesday in their quarterfinal game against France.

Thursday and Friday are two more rest days before the semifinals is played on Saturday and the final on Sunday.

Jones, who skipped the Women’s Basketball Association’s bubble last year, took a leave of absence from her Connecticut Sun in the WNBA to play for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the tournament.

The 27-year-old 6-foot, 6-inch centre was having a sensational start in her return to the Sun, whom she left in first place, but have dropped to third place with a three-game losing streak.