BAXI Manresa makes an epic comeback and defeats Neptunas on the final whistle
A great victory for the team, still affected by injuries, ends with a basket by Olinde, the most outstanding local player.
97 BAXI Manresa I Obasohan 11, Gaspà 3, Olinde 24, Steinbergs 10 and Akobundu-Ehiogu 11; Bassas 8, Knudsen 5, Paulicap 4, Oriola 14, Sánchez 4, Fernández 3 and Naspler
96 Neptunas Klaipeda I Velicka 25, Cleary 4, Berucka 2, Tarolis 16 and Majauskas 9; Kneizys, Girdziunas 21, Kozys, Waterman 11, and Silins 8
Quarter Scores: 22-24, 24-29, 16-20, 35-23
BAXI Manresa earned a well-deserved victory at the Nou Congost against Lithuanian side Neptunas Klaipeda (97-96), in a game where they trailed by seventeen points in the third quarter but ultimately won with a buzzer-beating basket by Olinde.
The players coached by Diego Ocampo dominated the opening minutes, building a six-point lead (13-7). The Lithuanians then responded with seven consecutive points, closing the first quarter with a two-point advantage (22-24).
The second quarter was a close affair, with the visitors, led by Velicka, holding a slim lead. Before halftime, two three-pointers by Girdziunas gave his team a seven-point lead (46-53).
Coming out of the locker room, the Lithuanians started stronger and opened up a gap to a maximum of seventeen points (50-67). Manresa then showed character and closed the gap to just seven (62-69). At the end of the third quarter, the visitors held an eleven-point lead (62-73).
In the final ten minutes, Bagencs went on a 10-0 run and regained the lead (75-74). From then on, neither team could pull away, and the game came down to the final seconds. A buzzer-beating basket by Olinde secured a well-deserved victory for his team.
On Sunday, starting at 12:00, BAXI Manresa will close the first round of the Liga Endesa, and will do so at the Nou Congost against MoraBanc Andorra.