BAXI Manresa falls in Lleida fighting until the last second

83 Hiopos Lleida I Bost 6, Walden 1, Paulí 16, Bozic 5 and Cooke 6; Bropleh 17, Villar 10, Muric 9, Caicedo, Oriola 4 and Hasbrouck 9

81 BAXI Manresa I Dani Pérez, Hunt 6, Sagnia, Alston Jr. 19 and Steinbergs 12; Ohams, Vescovi 13, Jou, Saint-Supéry 2, Obasohan 15, Brimah 8 and Cate 6

Partials: 23-27, 23-19, 14-15, 23-20

BAXI Manresa was unable to add its third victory in the Endesa League, as it fell on the court of Hiopos Lleida (83-81). A 12-0 run at the start of the last quarter saw the home team take the Catalan derby against a Bages team that fought until the last second and was close to coming back.

The start of the match was very even, with both teams exchanging control of the scoreboard. Later, the visitors dominated and took a maximum lead of seven points, which the team from Lleida cut to four at the end of the first quarter (23-27).

In the second, the team from Manresa had control of the scoreboard, but were unable to break the game at any time. In addition, in the final stretch, the home team neutralised the six-point lead and managed to tie the game at 46 at half-time.

Coming back from the changing rooms, the tone was one of total equality. Gerard Encuentra's men mostly had the lead, but with Bages' team always close behind. At the end of the third quarter, a basket from Hunt gave Diego Ocampo's team a one point lead (60-61).

In the last ten minutes, the team from Lleida came out strong and scored twelve consecutive points, which made things difficult for the visitors (72-61). However, the team from Manresa did not give up, and two consecutive three-pointers from Obasohan and Hunt put them within just one point with twenty seconds left (81-80). Immediately afterwards, Bropleh did not miss from the free throw, Obasohan missed one and the victory remained at the Barris Nord.

Next Sunday from 12:30, BAXI Manresa will visit the difficult court of one of the best teams in Europe, Real Madrid.