Mistake punishes BAXI Manresa in Murcia
An 81-71 defeat at UCAM Murcia, where Bages' team competed until the final minutes despite a poor shooting percentage. Saint-Supéry, Alston Jr., and Hunt all scored over 10 points.
81 UCAM Murcia I Hakanson 9, Ennis 23, Kurucs 14, Gates 6, Birgander 12; García 4, Radovic 3, Radebaugh 8, Stephens 2, Antetokounmpo
71 BAXI Manresa I Obasohan 5, Hunt 15, Sagnia, Alston Jr. 13, Massa; Vescovi, Jou, Reyes 6, Saint-Supéry 14, Dani Pérez 3, Traoré 5, Cate 10
Partials: 18-22, 26-15, 13-18, 24-16
BAXI Manresa fell on the difficult court of UCAM Murcia in a match in which they had very poor shooting accuracy and trailed for most of the half (81-71).
The first few minutes of the match saw both teams test each other, trading baskets. In the final stretch of the first quarter, Diego Ocampo's men took control of the game, allowing them to close the period with a four-point lead (18-22).
The visitors managed to maintain their lead during the opening stages of the second quarter, but the Murcians soon changed the pace, allowing them to turn the score around and go into halftime with a seven-point lead (44-37).
Coming out of the locker room, the home side continued to dominate, taking a maximum lead of twelve points (55-43). From then on, the Manresa side stepped up their defensive game and scored ten consecutive points, allowing them to close the third period just two points behind (57-55).
In the final ten minutes, the Bages team took the lead (59-60), but then Ennis appeared to sink two consecutive three-pointers. The visitors attempted a comeback, but found their shooting was lacking, and UCAM Murcia took the win and the average.
On Sunday, starting at 12:30 PM, BAXI Manresa will host the Liga Endesa leader, Real Madrid, at the Nou Congost.