Effects of Starting Quarter Score, Game Location, and Quality of Opposition in Quarter Score in Elite Women’s Basketball

The aim of the present study was to identify the effects of a starting score-line on the game quarter final score (final quarter outcome except for the first period) when considering the quality of the opposition and game location. The sample comprised 1,456 game quarters from the Spanish women’s professional league (seasons 2009/2010 and 2010/2011). A k-means cluster analysis classified the game quarters as balanced (difference in score equal or below by six points, n=1,000) and unbalanced game quarters (difference in score above six points, n=456). The effects of the situational variables in the game quarter outcome (difference between points scored and points conceded) in an entire game and in the second, third, and fourth game quarters were analyzed using linear regression analysis. The results showed the importance of a starting quarter score only during the second game quarters when one analyzed the entire game and unbalanced quarters. Also, the results showed that the situational variables of game location and quality of the opposition affected during the entire game quarters and unbalanced game quarters. These results established that the game dynamics in women’s basketball are strongly influenced by situational variables. The results of the present study help the coaches to develop appropriate game strategies considering the situational variables and the game dynamics.