July 23, 2004

Bretagne, France – South Carolina women’s basketball signee Ilona Burgrova and her Czech Republic teammates claimed an 88-64 win over Gamecock sophomores Iva Sliskovic and Lea Fabbri’s Croatian squad in first-round action at the FIBA European Championships for Under-20 Women Friday in Bretagne, France.

Burgrova was a key factor in the victory, scoring 14 points and grabbing a team-high six rebounds for the Czech Republic. Sliskovic scored a team-high 18 points and also led the team with eight rebounds. She converted on 9-of-13 shots from the field (69.2 pct.) Fabbri played 34 minutes, scoring eight points before fouling out.

The defending-champion Czechs took a 49- 27 lead into the locker room at halftime and cruised to the victory in the second half.

Both teams return to action Saturday, with Croatia taking on Hungary and the Czech Republic facing Spain.