By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz defeated Barcelona Lassa 85-82 at home, in a game that was decided in the very last minute. Even though it didn’t look like that, entering the fourth period.
With an incredible 0-17 run early in the final quarter, Barcelona tied the game at 74 with five minutes left on the clock. Alonso’s team was down 25 points at one stretch, but managed to come back and challenge the home side. Baskonia responded with a small 5-0 but it wasn’t over.
With Barca scoring two back to back three-pointers, with Ribas and Navvaro, Alonso’s team went up by one point in the final minute (81-82). Shengelia went to the line and made two clutch free-throws (83-82) (00:40). On defense, Janning made an important steal, Huertas went to the line and converted on both free-throws and Baskonia got the win.
The star: It was all about Tonrike Shengelia for the winners! In just the first half, he had 20 points, four three-pointers (4/4) and 4/5 two-point shots. In the second half, he added four points and finally finished with a career-high 24 points. The 26-year-old also grabbed six rebounds.
The game: The game started with a powerful dunk from Seraphin but it was the home side that started the contest off positively. Martinez’s team shot 80% (4/5) from beyond the arc in the first seven minutes to establish a nine-point lead (20-11). The first period eventually ended 22-17 with Tomic’s addition off the bench helping Alonso’s squad.
Shengelia, however, continued his hot shooting streak (4/4 3P in the first half) and Baskonia went up by double-digits (39-27). The first half ended 52-35 as ‘Toko’ could not be stopped.
In the next twenty minutes, the lead kept on growing (60-41) (24:00). Baskonia continued to score and eventually built a 25 point lead (70-45). Barca however, cut this 25 point deficit to just nine points (74-65) trying to come back. This 0-17 fourth-quarter run continued until Baskonia finally made a bucket. The home side regained control and finished off the game in the final minute with clutch free-throws and defensive plays.
Not enough: For Barcelona, Juan Carlos Navvaro posted 11 points and seven assists. Most of “La Bomba’s” contribution came during his team’s comeback but it eventually, it wasn’t enough.