BAXI Manresa 85-72 Barça: Defeat at the Nou Congost
A loss for the Barça basketball team away to Manresa in an eventful derby (85-72). Things didn't work out in the game, with Brizuela also injured and Kevin Punter ejected in the third quarter, plus an attempted comeback proving unsuccessful.
Parra carries the team in first quarter
With many games played and not many days rest, Joan Peñarroya rotated the starting five, and the blaugranes found it hard to get going. An early 10-2 sent the Nou Congost crowd crazy, who were really up for the derby. Joel Parra also felt that derby desire though, carrying the team back to 12-16, scoring nine points himself.
-13 at the break
However, Manresa and Derrick Alston Jr brought it back level by the end of the first (22-22). The second quarter was forgettable, though, as the home side strode away to 37-28, and despite the blaugranes responding, there was a lot to do for Peñarroya's side at the break (51-38).
Brizuela injured after a slip
Further bad news with another injury for Barça when Darío Brizuela went down after a slip and he couldn't play any further part in the game. A comeback was looking difficult, and was even more so when Kevin Punter was ejected after a foul added to an unsportsmanlike act in the first half.
Manresa triples take it away
The blaugranes tried to get back into a game that looked lost. Good defending brought it back to 62-52, and the comeback looked on at the end of the third. However, Dani Pérez and Steinbergs scored triples to take the game away again to +17 (70-53).
Time to look ahead
The difference meant that a defeat seemed inevitable, but Willy scored five (74-60), and home coach Diego Ocampo called a timeout to slow the charge. It did the trick, because Barça couldn't keep up the pressure and ultimately the derby ended in defeat.
Game stats
BAXI Manresa: 85
Barça: 72
BAXI Manresa: Dani Pérez (22), Hunt (8), Steinbergs (5), Sagnia (2) and Massa (8) - starting five - Alston Jr. (12), Obasohan (10), Cate (6), Reyes (12), Hustak (-), Saint-Supery (0) and Gaspà (-).
Barça: Núñez (5), Brizuela (0), Anderson (7), Parra 813) y Fall (0) - starting five - Punter (4), Satoransky (16), Hernangómez (17), Sarr (4), Vesely (4). Abrines (2) and Butajevas (0).
Quarters: 22-22, 51-38, 70-53, 85-72.
Referees: Emilio Pérez Pizarro, Alberto Baena and Cristóbal Sánchez.