BAXI Manresa holds its own and puts Real Madrid on the ropes
The Bages team trailed for much of the match but leveled the score, which was ultimately decided in the final play.
65 BAXI Manresa I Dani Pérez 5, Hunt 9, Sagnia, Alston Jr. 19, Massa 3; Vescovi 1, Jou 6, Steinbergs 8, Saint-Supéry 7, Obasohan 3, Sorolla and Cate 4
67 Real Madrid I Campazzo 7, Llull 9, Abalde 6, Ndiaye 1, Tavares 14; Rathan-Mayes 3, González 6, Hezonja 12, Garuba 2, Fernando and Feliz 7
Partials: 10-21, 16-18, 20-14, 19-14
BAXI Manresa held its own against the Endesa League leader, Real Madrid, who took the win thanks to a last-second basket from Llull (65-67).
The Whites scored the first seven points of the match. The Reds immediately reacted, closing the gap to just four points (8-12). However, Chus Mateo's men posted a 0-9 run and closed the first quarter with an eleven-point lead (10-21).
In the second quarter, the visitors, with more ideas on offense, continued to dominate comfortably and built a maximum lead of fifteen points, forcing Diego Ocampo to halt the game (24-39). At halftime, the Madrid team led by thirteen points (26-39).
After the break, the tone remained the same until the final minutes of the third quarter, when the Manresa team improved their game and scored eight consecutive points, allowing them to close the gap to just five points (46-51). The Whites entered the final quarter with a seven-point lead (46-53).
At that point, it seemed Madrid had the game under control, but Bages's team hadn't had the final say and tied the game with a Hunt three-pointer (65-65). On the next play, Llull took charge and scored the winning basket, as Saint-Supéry's final three-pointer failed to go in.
On Saturday, starting at 6:00 PM, BAXI Manresa will visit MoraBanc Andorra.