Small victory for BAXI Manresa against Reggiana
The Bages team won the match 96-90, but did not surpass the Italians in basket average and remained third in their group with one match remaining.
96 BAXI Manresa I Saint-Supéry 9, Obasohan 17, Jou 1, Alston Jr. 29 and Massa 12; Vescovi 3, Reyes 15, Steinbergs, Sagnia, Hunt 2, Dani Pérez and Cate 8
90 Pallacanestro Reggiana I Winston 6, Barford 17, Grant, Cheatham Jr. 16 and Faye 9; Gombauld 5, Smith 5, Uglietti 5, Vitali 19 and Faried 8
Partials: 23-23, 26-22, 26-26, 21-19
BAXI Manresa was victorious in the return of the Basketball Champions League at the Nou Congost, but was not able to overcome the average against the Italian Pallacanestro Reggiana (96-90).
The Italians took control from the initial 0-4 deficit and consistently dominated from short distances. Diego Ocampo's men clearly dominated the rebound, allowing them to even the score at the end of the first quarter (23-23).
In the second, the Reds scored seven consecutive points and achieved a maximum lead of nine points, with Alston Jr. on a roll from the three-point line (33-24). But Vitali was also sharp from long range, allowing his team to close the gap at halftime (49-45).
Coming out of the locker room, the game was very even, with neither team able to open a gap on the scoreboard. Two three-pointers scored by Alston Jr. and Vescovi allowed the Manresa team to close the third quarter with a four-point lead (75-71).
In the final ten minutes, the Bages team put together a 7-0 run that allowed them to dream of turning around the deficit (82-71). However, they were unable to complete the comeback, but at least they secured a victory, albeit a narrow one.
On Saturday, starting at 8:45 PM, BAXI Manresa will visit the difficult home court of a Euroleague team, Chima Moneke's Baskonia.