BAXI Manresa gives up too much and ends up losing to Andorra
The Bages team lacked more defensive inspiration to beat an opponent who needed the win. A tight match and a final defeat by 104 to 94.
104 MoraBanc Andorra | Evans 21, Best 7, Okoye 2, Pons 9, and Pustovyi 27; Luz 6, Rice 22, Ortega, Kostadinov 2, McKoy 5, Kuric 3, and Guerrero
94 BAXI Manresa | Bassas 19, Duke Jr. 4, Reyes 15, Knudsen 8, and Oriola 5; Akobundu-Ehiogu 3, Ubal 11, Steinbergs 9, Paulicap 2, Obasohan 18, Fernández, and Dani Pérez
Quarter Scores: 29-28, 30-22, 28-23, 17-21
BAXI Manresa was unable to secure the victory on MoraBanc Andorra's home court in a game where they trailed from the start (104-94).
After a close start, the home team took control and built a seven-point lead (19-12). Manresa responded quickly, led by an inspired Ubal, and closed the first quarter trailing by just one point (29-28).
In the second quarter, Bagencs started stronger and took the lead (29-32). However, Andorra, led by Evans and Pustovyi, quickly rallied and opened up a twelve-point gap (54-42). At halftime, Zan Tabak's men held a nine-point advantage (59-50).
After the break, the home team dominated, responding to every Andorran comeback attempt and building a maximum lead of fifteen points. A free throw by Obasohan reduced that lead to fourteen by the end of the third quarter (87-73).
In the final ten minutes, the pattern remained largely the same: the visitors tried to close the gap on the scoreboard, but a solid and superior Andorran side prevented them from doing so and secured a crucial victory in their fight to avoid relegation from the Liga Endesa.
On Tuesday at 8:00 PM, BAXI Manresa will once again play away from the Nou Congost, this time on the challenging court of Baloncesto Girona in another Catalan derby in the Liga Endesa.