BAXI Manresa takes the duel against Penya at an overjoyed Congost
Manresa took the initiative in the game at all phases, but ended up suffering in the last minute. Thomasson, with 25 points and 30 in efficiency, was the most outstanding local player.
95 BAXI Manresa I Dani Pérez 9, Thomasson 25, Vaulet 9, Moneke 12 i Bako 8; Francisco 6, Steinbergs 5, Rafa Martínez, Valtonen 5, Maye 12 and Sima 4.
91 Joventut Badalona I Vives 2, Ribas 12, Parra 14, Willis 5 i Birgander 6; Busquets, Brodziansky 4, Ventura, Feliz 28 and Tomic 20.
Parcials: 23-10, 26-24, 22-24, 24-33
BAXI Manresa achieved another victory in the pillbox of Congost (95-91), this time the victim was Penya. The team from Manresa came out inspired and they scored 13 points in the first part of the first half. The visitors were unable to respond until the third quarter, but the reaction came too late and the victory stayed in a overjoyed Nou Congost .
The start of the game was very similar to last Tuesday's match against Unicaja: the reds were very intense and caused several turnovers by the Badalona side. This resulted in an initial 16-0 run. After that, the visitors started to see the basket and cut the lead to 23-10 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second period, the game was more levelled, which favoured the home side, who maintained their success and, consequently, a considerable lead on the scoreboard at half-time (49-34).
In the second half, Carles Duran's players came out better and got closer on the board, but Pedro Martínez's side remained solid, with a margin of around ten points. At the end of the third quarter, the team from Manresa led by thirteen (71-58).
In the last ten minutes, Andrés Feliz, with 17 points, pushed his team to fight for the game until the end. In the decisive moments, Thomasson and Dani Pérez were confident in the free throws to keep the advantage and sign the eighteenth victory in the league.
BAXI Manresa's next game will be next Tuesday at Martín Carpena in Málaga (20:30) in the second game of the BCL quarter-finals.