FCBARCELONA.CAT

27.03.2010 19:49

Last gasp win (71-66)

Roger Boguyà

Regal Barca needed some last minute inspiration to overcome Fuenlabrada at the Palau after a curiously lacklustre performance. Mickeal was again the saviour though and the team remain unbeaten at home in the ACB.

Wedged in the middle of their intense Euro League series against Madrid, this was always going to be a game that demanded maximum concentration and Xavi Pascual’s men really had to work hard for the win, though their opponents were hardly at their best either. Once again though, the league leaders showed that they can squeeze out a win from a close game.

Slow start

It was a slow start from the hosts who saw Fuenlabrada take an early 2-7 lead before Vazquez, with 8 points in the first quarter, led the reaction. Unfortunately, both he and Ngog and Ricky quickly chalked up 2 personal fouls each. Good news for Barca was the presence of Terence Morris who had recovered from his lumbago. The teams were level on 24-24 after the first 10 minutes.

Visitors dominate rebounds

Neither team were able to impose themselves in the second quarter, but Fuenlabrada, with Batista dominating under the basket, led 8-20 in rebounds. The score stayed close though, with the visitors 36-38 up at the break.

Wedged in the middle of their intense Euro League series against Madrid, this was always going to be a game that demanded maximum concentration and Xavi Pascual’s men really had to work hard for the win, though their opponents were hardly at their best either. Once again though, the league leaders showed that they can squeeze out a win from a close game.

Slow start

It was a slow start from the hosts who saw Fuenlabrada take an early 2-7 lead before Vazquez, with 8 points in the first quarter, led the reaction. Unfortunately, both he and Ngog and Ricky quickly chalked up 2 personal fouls each. Good news for Barca was the presence of Terence Morris who had recovered from his lumbago. The teams were level on 24-24 after the first 10 minutes.

Visitors dominate rebounds

Neither team were able to impose themselves in the second quarter, but Fuenlabrada, with Batista dominating under the basket, led 8-20 in rebounds. The score stayed close though, with the visitors 36-38 up at the break.

Points go missing

A low scoring third quarter seemed in store as neither side managed a point in the first three minutes. Navarro opened Barca’s account with a three pointer, followed by two points from Mickeal, but Fuenlabrada didn’t score until 5 minutes into the quarter. With defence in the ascendancy, Barca injected more mobility into their attack and although they were still not firing on all cylinders, they began to move ahead, leading 54-44 as they went into the final quarter.

Tense final

Mistakes multiplied in the final quarter and Fuenlabrada took advantage to fight back and take a 61-64 lead as the game went into its final minutes. That was when Lakovic and Mickeal stepped in to drag Barac to a tense final victory.

A low scoring third quarter seemed in store as neither side managed a point in the first three minutes. Navarro opened Barca’s account with a three pointer, followed by two points from Mickeal, but Fuenlabrada didn’t score until 5 minutes into the quarter. With defence in the ascendancy, Barca injected more mobility into their attack and although they were still not firing on all cylinders, they began to move ahead, leading 54-44 as they went into the final quarter.

Tense final

Mistakes multiplied in the final quarter and Fuenlabrada took advantage to fight back and take a 61-64 lead as the game went into its final minutes. That was when Lakovic and Mickeal stepped in to drag Barac to a tense final victory.