BAXI Manresa falls to Gran Canaria despite never giving up
Diego Ocampo's team lost 80-87 in a game marked by a poor start but a tough fight and an unsuccessful comeback. Five players (Ubal, Olinde, Benitez, Akobundu-Ehiogu, and Reyes) had a PIR above 10.
80 BAXI Manresa I Benitez 16, Plummer 6, Ubal 12, Steinbergs 3, and Golden 4; Akobundu-Ehiogu 11, Reyes 10, Olinde 10, Obasohan 2, and Dani Pérez 6
87 Dreamland Gran Canaria I Albicy 10, Wong 19, Brussino 15, Labeyrie 4, and Tobey 10; Maniema, Villa 6, Samar 2, Salvó 2, Pelos 11, Kuath, and Angola 8
Partials: 19-31, 28-22, 18-20, 15-14
BAXI Manresa suffered its first defeat of the season at the Nou Congost after falling to Dreamland Gran Canaria 80-87.
Jaka Lakovic's players got off to a great start, scoring the first eight points of the game. The Canaries were very sharp on their shooting, which led to a maximum lead of sixteen points (12-28). At the end of the first quarter, the visitors were ahead 19-31.
In the second period, the Reds improved from long distance, allowing them to move within two points of their opponent (43-45). However, the islanders didn't slow down their shooting and went into halftime with a six-point lead (47-53).
Back in the locker room, the tone was practically the same: the Manresa team tried to close the gap, but the visitors remained sharp on their outside shots. At the end of the third quarter, Lakovic's team had an eight-point lead (65-73).
In the final ten minutes, Diego Ocampo's team made too many mistakes, allowing the Canary Islands to take a fifteen-point lead that was already irretrievable for the Reds, who suffered their first defeat of the season at the Nou Congost.
On Tuesday, starting at 7:00 PM, BAXI Manresa will visit the difficult court of Greek side Aris Thessaloniki Betsson in another Eurocup matchday.