By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Kevin Punter scored 22 points on 5-6 triples as Barcelona got a crucial 77 – 74 win at Gran Canaria in the Spanish ACB to improve to 8-8 and retain its chances of making the Copa Del Rey lineup.
While Barca bounced back to victories in Spain after three straight losses, the team saw captain Alex Abrines exiting the game with an apparent knee injury, 6:10 before the end. The Spanish swingman was in tears and had to be helped off the floor by the Blaugrana staff.
Punter had 8 of his points over the last six minutes, hitting the go-ahead triple for the 67 -68. Barca moved up 75 – 67 with 2:14 remaining but Gran Canaria approached 75 – 74, 11 seconds before the final buzzer.
Once again, Punter provided a solution to Barca with a quick bucket. Andrew Albicy, who had scored to bring Gran Canaria at a one-point distance, committed an offensive foul as the game approached its end.
Apart from Punter, Chimezie Metu had 18 points for Barca. Mike Tobey (15 points, five rebounds) and Nicolas Brussino (14 points, six rebounds) stood out from Gran Canaria, now 10-6.