Kids&Us Manresa continues to gain momentum in Sant Julià
Diego Ocampo's men fell to iLERNA Lleida in a decisive duel in the final stretch.
99 Kids&Us Manresa I Benitez 13, Notae 6, Tamba 8, Allen 17 and Oriola 17; Kolenda 8, Vila 7, Beaufort, Bassas 7, Agbo 6, Ongenda 10, Sánchez, Enabulele and Drejer
103 iLERNA Lleida I McGhee 22, Torrens 4, Sanz 2, Ejim 10 and Diagne 6; Hughes 13, Rodríguez 5, Shurna 15, Perrin 16, Majauskas 8, Ruffin 2, and Pou
Quarter Scores: 18-20, 24-25, 26-29, 31-29
Kids&Us Manresa was unable to secure another victory in the preseason, falling to iLERNA Lleida in Sant Julià de Vilatorta in a game decided in the final stretch (99-103).
The game was very evenly matched in the opening minutes. Lleida held a slight lead throughout, but always by narrow margins. At the end of the first quarter, Gerard Encuentra's men had a two-point advantage (18-20).
The second quarter remained close, with both teams constantly trading the lead. At halftime, Lleida held a three-point lead (42-45).
Returning from the locker room, the pattern of play didn't change much, and neither team managed to pull away until the final moments of the third quarter, when Lleida extended their lead to eight points (64-72). At the end of the period, Encuentra led 68-74.
In the final ten minutes, Lleida increased their advantage to eleven points (78-89), but the Manresa team didn't give up and entered the final stretch with a chance to win. However, Lleida proved more effective in the closing possessions and secured the victory.
On Wednesday at 9:00 PM, Kids&Us Manresa will make their debut in the Catalan League against MoraBanc Andorra in Tarragona.