England's U16 Women slipped to another defeat in the European Championship on Friday, losing 65-48 to Czech Republic falling away in the fourth quarter after threatening to pick up their first win at Division A level for most of the game.

 

England made a quick start and Leah McDerment scored 10 points in the opening quarter to post them to a 18-13 lead. Three consecutive triples from the Czechs saw them push 24-18 and it took an 11-5 run from England to end the period to send the teams into the locker rooms tied at 29.

 

The third quarter was back and forth with England putting up their most competitive display at Division A level, then an 8-0 run by Czech Republic put them up 44-37, with only a triple from Samantha Clement keeping England within 4 points going into the final period.

 

England produced only a McDerment jump shot in the first six minutes of the final period as the Czechs pulled away to lead by as many as 19 and cruise to a comfortable victory.

 

McDerment had 17 points for England, with no-one else scoring more than 5. Gabriela Andelova was the only Czech player in double figures with 28 to go along with 9 rebounds.

 

The loss means that England will finish bottom of their opening round group regardless of the result in their final group game against France. They will face 3 games in the second stage and will probably need to win all three games to avoid relegation back to the B Division.