FCBARCELONA.CAT

18.11.2009 21:47

Hard fought win(62-68)

Sònia de Alba

Regal Barca beat Ayuda en Acción Fuenlabrada in a difficult game in which the Barcelona team had to fight hard throughout the 40 minutes to ensure the win.

This was Barca's seventh win in the ACB and with Real Madrid playing on Thursday, Xavi Pascual's team can go joint top of the league if DKV win.

The Fernando Martín court is never easy and the home fans really lifted their team against Barca, particularly when the visitors' 16 point lead was cut to just 3 points in the final quarter before a five point flurry from Ricky Rubio (3) and Lorbek left it at 62-68.

Early advantage

Although the visitors raced to a 0-7 advantage, Chris Thomas pulled Fuenlabrada back and two free throws from him made it 13-16 at the end of the first quarter.

Although they stayed in front, Barca were finding it hard to move the ball at pace and their shooting was also not up to scratch. Navarro and Pete Mickeal worked well to open up some space and make it 23-32 and they were ably assisted by Ricky Rubio who scored to make it 25-34 at the break.

Best basketball of the game

Barca came out and played their best basketball after the break with Morris catapulting the team to a 16 point lead with 3 minutes left of the third quarter , before a two-pointer from Antelo and a personal foul by Mickeal on Laviña let the hosts back into the game which finished 41-52 at the end of the third quarter.

Barca seemed to relax in the final quarter and Fuenlabrada fought back to 60-63 before Rubio and Lorbek ensued the team's seventh ACB win of the campaign.