BAXI Manresa runs into a much improved Madrid
The whites were superior to the Manresans, very blocked in the three-point shots. Good effort by Musa Sagnia with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 18 rating credits.
86 Real Madrid I Campazzo 3, Abalde 2, Musa 13, Ndiaye 4 and Tavares 10; Rathan-Mayes 14, González 8, Hezonja 14, Deck 6, Gueye 4, Ibaka and Llull 8
61 BAXI Manresa I Dani Pérez, Hunt 7, Sagnia 8, Alston Jr. 4 and Cate 10; Vescovi 3, Reyes 7, Steinbergs 9, Saint-Supéry 6, Obasohan 7 and Brimah
Partials: 22-13, 25-8, 16-19, 23-21
BAXI Manresa clearly fell on the difficult court of a Real Madrid that dominated from the first quarter and gave no chance to Diego Ocampo's team (86-61).
The match started at a high pace and with both teams equal, exchanging baskets. After the first five minutes, the Whites led by Tavares began to open up a gap and closed the first quarter with a nine-point lead (22-13).
In the second period, the home team was much more in tune than their rival and dominated with ease. At half-time, the Madrid team was winning convincingly (47-21).
Coming back from the changing rooms, the Reds improved and came within just fifteen points in the middle of the third quarter (53-38). Later, the men led by Chus Mateo reacted and widened the gap again to reach the last ten minutes with the match well on track (63-40).
During these, the Manresans had no chance of getting back into the game, as the Whites remained very solid and were able to rest their most important players. For the Bages team, Ocampo distributed the minutes among his players.
On Wednesday at 20:45, BAXI Manresa will host German side NINERS Chemnitz at the Nou Congost in the third round of the Basketball Champions League.