Baskonia cold blood reigns in Murcia (80-87)

Cazoo Baskonia added an important victory on the field of UCAM Murcia (80-87) after taking the initiative in the first quarter and overcoming each attack from Murcia. Marinkovic (25 pt), unstoppable

Cazoo Baskonia continues in fourth position in the Endesa League, now with a record of 14 wins and 4 losses, by beating UCAM Murcia 80-87 in a match that they dominated from start to finish under the leadership of Vanja Marinkovic.

UCAM Murcia prepared the match as a tribute to José Luis Mendoza, who was president and owner of the club, who died last week, but could not dedicate a victory to him.

The match began with an injury to Markus Howard, who sprained his right ankle with just three minutes into the game. That incidence did not distract his team and less Marinkovic, who shot Baskonia on the scoreboard with ten points without a miss, including two three-pointers (9-16).

Sito Alonso stopped the match with a timeout that made his team react and, with 19-21, it was Joan Peñarroya who intervened from the band. The first quarter ended with a +4 for the Cazoo (19-23).

The second period saw the recovery of UCAM, led by a good Ilimane Diop, who worked well in both areas and also scored from distance. A triple of his put the granas ahead a long time later with a 33-31.

Once again Marinkovic appeared with eight more points in this quarter, showing that the team from Vitoria came to Murcia ready to impose their power: 36-41 at halftime.

After passing through the changing rooms, the visitors put the direct and reached their maximum difference with two triples followed by Rokas Giedraitis (45-56).

The good defense of Baskonia, after the effort made on Friday in the Euroleague, winning 114-111 after extra time against Turkish Anadolu Efes, current European champion, was decisive and, despite their rival’s attempts to narrow the figures, they stood up in the last quarter with a cushion of seven goals (56-63) thanks also to Maik Kotsar’s inside game.

The Basque team did not have the clash resolved and in the last period they accelerated again to get closer to their goal (60-71).

UCAM CB entrusted itself to the inspiration of Thad McFadden, who, with three three pointers, put the score at 69-75.

Sito’s men fought until the end to exploit their options (78-84 and possession with 54 seconds to play). Travis Trice, who had just scored a three-pointer, missed the one that would have put the granas within tying shot and then two free throws scored by Matt Costello sealed the duel.

80. UCAM Murcia (19+17+20+24): Trice (9), Davis (6), Anderson (12), Radovic (6) and Pustovyi (2) -starting five-, Luther (11), Bellas ( 2), McFadden (20), Sakho (1), Diop (5), Jelínek (2) and Rojas (4).

87. Cazoo Baskonia (23+18+22+24): Howard (-), Marinkovic (25), Sedekerskis (-), Costello (10) and Enoch (6) -starting five-, Raieste (-), Dani Díez (-), Thompson (14), Kotsar (17), Giedraitis (7), Hommes (5) and Kurucs (3).

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